The recent introduction of the artificial intelligence-powered linear accelerator Ethos® in our department now allows us to offer patients continuous and real-time adaptation of their radiation therapy treatment based on the patients’ daily anatomy.
In 2023, this adaptive radiotherapy was performed for the first time in the world in “breath-hold” to treat gastric lymphomas. This approach allows for a reduction of the irradiation margins while preserving adjacent organs.
Another area of innovation is stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT) for liver tumors with mechanical ventilation assistance, which is an alternative to surgery for selected cases. Since 2018, non-invasive ventilation assistance, called MANIV, has been adopted, reducing irradiation margins and improving treatment quality. In October 2023, the Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc became the first center to integrate MANIV into their routine clinical practice for treating liver tumors
. Stereotactic radiotherapy can also be offered for localized prostate cancer. It represents a faster and more precise alternative compared to traditional radiotherapy. Studies show comparable success rates with fewer side effects, highlighting the potential of SBRT for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Finally, an increasing number of patients are being treated with radiotherapy for bladder cancer. This conservative treatment is a new therapeutic alternative that can be offered under certain conditions. The application of adaptive radiotherapy in this indication is of maximum benefit due to the rapid and frequent variation in bladder volume during treatment. This makes it possible to avoid cystectomy and offer patients a better quality of life.
All these developments in radiotherapy align with our department's commitment to progress and improve patient care regarding oncological outcomes and quality of life.
Keywords
Adaptive radiotherapy, artificial intelligence, stereotactic radiotherapy, mechanically assisted and non-invasive ventilation