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Innovations in Surface Guided Treatment Planning at ESTRO 2025

The recent ESTRO 2025 conference in Vienna has become a pivotal moment for advancements in cancer treatment technologies. RaySearch Laboratories AB and Vision RT proudly announced their collaboration aimed at revolutionizing treatment planning with the complete integration of the MapRT system into the RayStation® treatment planning software. This groundbreaking development promises to enhance patient safety and optimize treatment plans significantly.

Integration of MapRT with RayStation

The integration of MapRT introduces a highly advanced method of conducting treatment planning by utilizing a clearance map that enhances the selection of beam trajectories. This map strategically guides users in avoiding potential collisions among the treatment unit, patient, and treatment couch. This innovative approach is set to streamline workflows and improve accuracy in various treatment plans, particularly for cases involving rotation of the treatment couch.

During the CT simulation stage, the MapRT cameras meticulously capture the patient's surface data and any immobilization accessories. The software then processes this information, integrating it with models of the treatment apparatus to generate safe gantry and couch angles depicted in the clearance map, which is instantly accessible within RayStation. Such synergy between data capture and treatment planning streamlines the process for healthcare providers.

Clinical Benefits and Improved Treatment Plans

The implications of this integration extend beyond workflow efficiency. Recent studies have shown that non-coplanar treatment techniques can offer significant advantages for several cancers, including lung, breast, head and neck, lymphoma, and high-grade glioma. These techniques can lead to better-dose distribution, sparing vital organs from high radiation doses while ensuring the primary tumor receives the necessary treatment. This improvement in plan quality is essential as it directly correlates with enhanced patient outcomes.

Helen Convery, a senior dosimetrist involved in clinical trials, expressed enthusiasm for the MapRT system's role in collision avoidance and angle optimization for non-coplanar plans. Her experience with MapRT since 2022 at Raigmore Hospital underlines the high value of this technology in clinical practice, anticipating further enhancements in efficiency and workflow as RayStation integrates MapRT capabilities fully.

Vision RT's Perspective

Thomas Carter, Vice President of Marketing at Vision RT, highlighted that clinics are already adapting their planning strategies, allowing for improved patient outcomes through increased non-coplanar beam options. The potential to automate treatment planning while ensuring collision-free operations puts the integration at the forefront of modern radiation therapy practices, minimizing errors, maximizing predictability, and enabling healthcare resources to be deployed more effectively.

Björn Hårdemark, Deputy CEO of RaySearch, resonates with the potential of surface scanning emphasized in this integration. By harnessing crucial patient data early in the treatment planning cycle, clinicians can explore more innovative and creative beam configurations, further enhancing safety during therapy.

Regulatory Approval and Future Prospects

The MapRT system already carries CE marking for clinical use within the European Union and the UK, with a version cleared for sale in the USA awaiting final approval for its API version. This regulatory aspect assures patients and healthcare professionals of the system's credibility and readiness for safe implementation.

Conclusion

The partnership between RaySearch Laboratories and Vision RT signifies a remarkable leap forward in radiation therapy. By marrying cutting-edge technology with clinical practice, they pave the way for safer, more efficient, and patient-centered cancer treatment solutions. As this integration comes to fruition, stakeholders in the medical community eagerly await its broader application across healthcare facilities worldwide, ushering in a new standard in radiation oncology.