My Journey with TrueBeam Radiation Therapy: A Physician & Patient’s Perspective

My Journey with TrueBeam Radiation Therapy: A Physician & Patient’s Perspective

Laurence T Gayao MD

This afternoon, I had my first TrueBeam radiation treatment for a recurrence of metastatic thyroid cancer in my 7th thoracic spine. This is the first of five treatment sessions over the next two weeks. It’s not my first experience with this therapy—I’ve had two similar treatments in the past seven years.

I was first diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2006 and have been under regular follow-up at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center about twice a year. Now, I want to share my experience with this cutting-edge radiation therapy, not just from a patient’s perspective but also as a physician who has seen the advancements in cancer treatment over the years.

If you or someone you know is facing cancer, understanding TrueBeam radiation therapy may help in considering treatment options. This state-of-the-art technology offers high precision, shorter treatment times, and fewer side effects compared to traditional radiation.

TrueBeam Radiation Therapy: An Advanced Cancer Treatment

What is TrueBeam Radiation Therapy?
TrueBeam is a state-of-the-art radiation therapy system developed by Varian Medical Systems. It delivers highly precise, high-dose radiation to tumors while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. TrueBeam is an advanced linear accelerator (LINAC) that allows for image-guided and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IGRT & IMRT). It is particularly effective for treating hard-to-reach or complex tumors with greater accuracy, speed, and flexibility compared to traditional radiation therapies.

How Does TrueBeam Work?

1. Imaging & Targeting – TrueBeam uses advanced imaging techniques like Cone Beam CT (CBCT) and optical surface monitoring to visualize the tumor in real-time before and during treatment.
2. Precise Radiation Delivery – The system adjusts the intensity, angle, and shape of the radiation beams to match the tumor’s size, shape, and location.
3. Motion Management – TrueBeam accounts for tumor motion caused by breathing or body movement, making it ideal for lung, breast, and abdominal cancers.
4. Faster Treatment – The machine delivers high-dose radiation in shorter sessions, reducing overall treatment time while maintaining effectiveness.

What Cancers is TrueBeam Effective For?

TrueBeam is used to treat a wide range of cancers, including but not limited to:

• Brain tumors (Glioblastomas, metastases)
• Head and neck cancers (Throat, larynx, salivary glands)
• Lung cancer
• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Liver cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Spinal tumors
• Gynecologic cancers (Cervical, ovarian)

It is especially beneficial for tumors located near critical organs where precision is crucial.

Pros and Cons of TrueBeam Radiation Therapy

✅ Pros:

• High Precision & Accuracy – Targets tumors with sub-millimeter accuracy, minimizing damage to nearby healthy tissue.
• Faster Treatment Times – Can deliver radiation up to 4x faster than conventional systems, reducing session times.
• Better Comfort & Safety – Uses real-time imaging and motion tracking to ensure accuracy while reducing patient movement risks.
• Non-Invasive – Unlike surgery, there is no need for incisions or recovery time.
• Versatile & Adaptable – Can be used for a broad range of cancers and customized for each patient.
• Fewer Side Effects – Because of its precision, patients may experience fewer radiation-related side effects compared to older radiation therapies.

❌ Cons:

• Availability & Cost – TrueBeam technology is expensive and may not be available in all hospitals or cancer centers.
• Mild to Moderate Side Effects – While reduced, side effects like fatigue, skin irritation, nausea, and localized pain may still occur.
• Multiple Sessions Required – Although faster, most patients still require multiple treatment sessions (typically over a few weeks).
• Not Suitable for All Tumors – While highly effective, some cancers may require other treatments like surgery or chemotherapy in combination.

Conclusion

TrueBeam radiation therapy is a cutting-edge treatment that provides greater precision, speed, and flexibility compared to traditional radiation methods. It is particularly effective for hard-to-treat tumors and offers fewer side effects while improving patient comfort. However, accessibility and cost can be challenges. Consulting with an oncologist is essential to determine if TrueBeam is the right treatment for a specific cancer case.

Stay tuned as I share more insights about this treatment and my personal journey in the coming days. Let’s continue to learn, stay informed, and support one another in this fight.

Dr Laurence Tabanao Gayao MD, FAAFP, FBCEM

#TrueBeamRadiation #CancerTreatment #ThyroidCancer #Survivor #MedicalAdvancements #HealthMatters

drgayao.com

I came out of medical school in 1971 and after residency in Family Medicine at Texas Tech University Health and Science Center I practiced for forty over years traditional medicine in the specialties of family and later in emergency medicine. All along I accept being called a health care provider. Most of what I did however was acute intervention of the results of illnesses that were mostly brought about by an unhealthy life styles. If the patient had high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, congestive heart failure, and other illnesses I prescribed them medications and mentioned that they needed to loss weight and exercise, in a perfunctory manner. Patients kept on coming back mostly getting worse with time. There was no systematic effort to alter the life styles that lead to these problems.Early in my career I studied on my own exercise physiology and nutrition, and diligently applied it till I got too busy in my profession and I gradually gained weight and eventually had elevated blood sugar and hypertension just like most of my patients. I after retirement I got back into the fitness program and delved into study of life style induced illnesses. It has made me realize as expensive and highly technologically advance our health care is, it has basically is neglecting promoting health as evidenced by the fact we in the US have the highest per capita expenditure for healthcare but our life expectancy is among the lowest among developed countries. Health business is misdirected in its focus and it is one of the largest industries in the US, good for profit for providers but bad for consumers. I now desire to share as much as possible the gospel of a healthy life style which is the key health and happiness.

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