解锁兽医放射治疗的晚期放射治疗技术
Combination of Elekta solutions for beam shaping, imaging and patient positioning transforms animal RT at the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center
2020年6月，在密苏里大学兽医健康中心（VHC）安装了全新的Elekta线性加速器，取代了一台15岁的机器。新的Elekta设备的功能，具有最先进的动态光束成型和板载锥束CT成像，立即为中心打开了新的可能性来治疗动物癌。bob娱乐官网
“We felt like we jumped light years ahead with the new MLC,” comments Dr. Charles Maitz, chief of radiation oncology at the VHC. “We’ve been really impressed with the speed and precision of our new system, combined with the quality of the plans that can be achieved with Monaco. This has given us the capability and confidence to implement advanced techniques, such as VMAT and stereotactic protocols.”
更少的副作用
Agility™MLC的高分辨率光束成型与高级剂量调节能力相结合摩纳哥®治疗计划系统可以准确地放置剂量和急剧剂量的损坏（图1）。
“The accuracy and sharp dose fall-off that can be achieved with this new equipment is critical for such small tumors.”
“我们经常需要治疗非常小的肿瘤，”梅茨博士解释说。“例如，猫中的垂体肿瘤的尺寸可能仅为8毫米，并且由于动物的尺寸很小，因此视神经chiasm非常接近。这种新设备可以实现的准确性和尖锐的剂量损坏对于如此小的肿瘤至关重要。”
“Treatment accuracy and normal tissue sparing benefits patients by causing fewer treatment-related side effects,” he continues.
准确的设置
The application of stereotactic radiation therapy is a growing trend in veterinary medicine, offering many of the clinical benefits that are also seen in human patients. When delivering higher doses in fewer fractions, accurate and reproducible patient setup is essential. This is now much easier at the University of Missouri VHC with the new on-board kV imaging and 6D robotic couch, which provide sub-millimeter repositioning accuracy (figure 2).
“We went from relying on MV films to onboard kV CBCT imaging, which was a huge leap for us and has certainly enhanced the accuracy of our treatments,” says Dr. Maitz. “In the past, we had to keep checking and moving the table a few millimeters in this or that direction. Now, following image registration, the fully integrated system automatically moves the table to reposition the patient with extreme precision.”
“我们使用Vac-Lok™系统定位,交易ditionally, we used bite blocks to reduce rotational errors,” he continues. “But some animals are not amenable to a bite block. Now, with the ability to make both translational and rotational corrections, we get very good target alignment, eliminating the need for a bite block in most cases.”
The hypofractionated schedules required for stereotactic treatments are especially beneficial to animals, reducing the course of treatment and the number of times they need to be anesthetized.
“Improved outcomes are certainly important,” says Dr. Maitz, “but quality of life is also a prime consideration in veterinary medicine. Since we are a regional center, many of the animals we treat may need to spend time away from home for the course of their treatment. With conventional radiation therapy that could take 4-5 weeks, which is a long time for pets to be away from their families. Stereotactic treatments, on the other hand, can be completed in a week. Having this option enhances our flexibility to provide treatments that work best for both pets and owners.”
更快的治疗和增加的能力
更有效的成像，设置和处理交付使VHC团队能够将复杂的治疗插槽减少50％，从而使他们能够显着增加其能力
“We can now treat complex cases in half the time, reducing treatment slots for such cases to just 30 minutes,” Dr. Maitz explains. “This has allowed us to shorten anesthesia time by approximately 20 minutes, which is better for the animals.”
“现在，我们可以在一半的时间内治疗复杂病例，将此类病例的治疗插槽减少到仅30分钟。”
他继续说：“我们还增加了20例案件的潜在能力，这为我们提供了持续增长的空间。”“此外，由于治疗过程较短，立体定义方案使我们每年都可以治疗更多病例。”
该中心正在看到一种不断增长和不断变化的放射治疗案例。过去，他们每天治疗2-3例，这些病例主要是未完全切除的软组织肉瘤。现在，他们每天治疗6-8例病例，并且看到了更多的适应症，包括狗和猫的头部和颈部肿瘤，例如鼻癌和口服黑色素瘤。
“With the new equipment and software, our workflows are more seamless and efficient. Plan importation is noticeably faster, and we have fewer manual tasks.”
他总结说：“随着我们现在拥有的增强功能，我们希望获得资金来扩大我们中心的临床试验计划。”“这将使我们能够为更多的动物提供最新的尖端技术，同时我们将继续推进辐射肿瘤学领域。”
*Elekta linacs and Monaco are safe and effective for veterinary use. Veterinary regulations vary in countries so please contact an Elekta Representative for the device availability.
LWBINF220613
