Home News Leading Stereotactic Radiation Therapy network

Leading Stereotactic Radiation Therapy network

Icon Writers / 02 Apr, 2024

The landscape of cancer treatment is continually evolving, with innovative technologies and therapies transforming patient treatment experiences and outcomes.

Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT) is one of the techniques transforming cancer treatment. And Icon Group is leading its delivery, including providing access to Radiation Oncologists, specialised in SRT, at the cutting-edge of evolving this treatment.

Through 2023, Icon’s Clinical Care team introduced stereotactic radiation therapy to four more sites (totalling 37 sites), resulting in almost 2000 SRT treatments – a 25% increase in stereotactic radiation therapy treatments in the past year, and an impressive 97% stereotactic coverage across Icon’s global network.

What is Stereotactic Radiation Therapy?

SRT, which encompasses Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy (SABR), and Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), is an advanced technique used to treat small, well-defined tumours or high-risk postoperative areas. It can be used to treat both primary and metastatic tumours, which are tumours that have spread from other organs in the body.

This technology allows a high dose of radiation to be delivered to the tumour very precisely, without compromising surrounding healthy organs due to the ability to treat with sub-millimetre accuracy.

Due to the larger daily doses of radiation delivered to patients with stereotactic radiation therapy, treatments can be completed within a single treatment, or multiple treatments spanning over 2-10 days. Each daily treatment usually takes no longer than 20 minutes.

Icon’s Capabilities in Stereotactic Radiation Therapy

Group Director of Medical Physics, Anthony Walsh said the expansion of Icon’s stereotactic capability reflects an ongoing commitment to the delivery of exceptional care.

“Icon’s robust clinical governance framework and digital platforms allow us to efficiently introduce new technologies and treatment techniques, like stereotactic radiation therapy anywhere in the world,” said Anthony.

“Our extensive doctor network, coupled with our experienced team of medical professionals and long-term industry partnerships, ensures timely access to the latest treatments to more people and more regions in need.”

Icon doctors, A/Prof Matthew Foote and Dr Howard Liu were the lead authors in Then Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists’ (RANZCR) publication on ‘Safe Practice of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Guidelines’, delivering a national education guide to ensure appropriate care of patients receiving stereobatic treatments.

Treatment use

Icon’s cancer centres have successfully integrated Stereotactic Radiation Therapy into its wide range of treatment options and is available for various types of cancer, including brain, spine, bones, liver, and lung cancers, as well as secondary tumours that have spread from a primary cancer.

“Our stereotactic capabilities complement our many world-class treatment options, including access to advanced imaging like PET/CT which provide detailed information that allows our team to accurately target these small tumours, treatable with these advanced techniques.”

Future healthcare

Icon’s global partnership with Varian Medical Systems and ongoing relationships with leading industry partners like Siemens Healthineers and Radformation ensures we’re first to market with new and emerging treatments.

“As a world leader of cancer care with strong industry relationships, our clinicians and medical professionals are at the forefront of new treatments, and we are constantly exploring and testing the latest technologies resulting in better patient outcomes,” said Anthony.

Icon have been the first in Australia to deliver some of the latest radiation treatment technologies including: Varian’s Halcyon System, IDENTIFY Surface Guidance System, HyperArc, Ethos stereotactic techniques, and HyperSight.

The team also recently introduced Radformation’s AutoContour technology to improve the quality of contouring in radiation therapy planning. This technology utilises AI to help contour patient anatomy automatically with a high degree of accuracy, whilst maintaining consistency with protocols and workflow integration.

“These emerging technologies have great potential,” said Anthony.

“The incorporation of AI is helping reduce planning times and improve overall treatment consistency ensuring we can provide the latest and most effective treatment options.

“We continue to explore AI and other emerging technologies and innovations to deliver the latest care to our patients, no matter where they live.”

About Icon Group

Icon Group is Australia’s largest dedicated cancer care provider and has expanded globally into Singapore, Mainland China, Hong Kong and New Zealand.

Our people

People from across Icon Group share their stories of success, career progression and being iconic.

A career with Icon

At Icon, you’ll help change lives, every single day. In return for your passion, dedication and agility, we offer a workplace where you can.

Updates

Read the latest news and updates across Icon Group.

View all News