Volumetric-Modulated Arc Therapy Targets Shortened Radiation Treatment Times for Cancer Patients

Independent technology for volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatment planning has been developed that can be used with the leading linear accelerators on the market.

Available as a module in the Philips Medical Systems' (Best, The Netherlands) Pinnacle3 version 9 radiation treatment planning (RTP) software, the new SmartArc planning option can be used with any VMAT-capable delivery system on the market.


VMAT is an advanced form of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in which the treatment machine rotates around the patient while the treatment beam is on. The basic promise of VMAT delivery is to significantly reduce treatment time per patient compared with traditional IMRT. VMAT can benefit the patient by offering shorter treatment times, increased accuracy and better sparing of healthy tissue. Reduced treatment time results in decreased stress for patients and increased capacity for providers.

"Volumetric-modulated arc therapy provides the ability to combine the dosimetric benefits of rotational therapy with the dose painting capabilities of IMRT. In addition to improved plan quality, VMAT results in more efficient plan deliveries--using VMAT for complex head-and-neck cases can result in a seven minute reduction in our average treatment time," said Dave Shepard, Ph.D., DABR, director of medical physics radiation oncology at the Swedish Cancer Institute (Seattle, WA, USA). "The SmartArc module in the Pinnacle3 treatment planning system has proven to be a robust planning solution for VMAT."

Philips SmartArc advanced treatment planning technology allows single or multiple user-definable arcs and supports both constant- and variable- dose rate delivery. Constant-dose rate delivery allows clinicians to explore the benefits of VMAT delivery without the expense and downtime associated with an upgrade to their linear accelerator. SmartArc is the first commercially released inverse planning solution designed for both Elekta and Varian linear accelerators. This flexibility is important to allow clinicians the freedom to choose the delivery device that best fits their needs.

"VMAT is the next iteration of IMRT and conformal arc therapy--capabilities Philips Pinnacle3 has been providing for more than five years. SmartArc seamlessly blends these capabilities in a fully integrated solution that meets the needs of our customers," said Keith Tipton, general manager, Philips Radiation Oncology Solutions. "Clinicians expressed a need for comprehensive tools that allow them to evaluate and implement VMAT in conjunction with various therapies in order to choose the best treatment option for patients. SmartArc answers these needs and is yet another example of how Philips is committed to developing innovative, flexible products for radiation therapy."

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