Philips highlights latest advances in CT and MR for precision radiation therapy planning at ASTRO 2023

At the American Society for Radiation Oncology Annual Meeting (ASTRO 2023, October 1-4, 2023, San Diego, USA), Philips will showcase the company’s newest developments in MR and CT to help radiation oncologists target radiation therapy more accurately, including MR-guided radiotherapy for head-and-neck cancer along with the unique radiation oncology capabilities of its Spectral CT 7500 scanner.

Effective radiation therapy relies on a unique combination of clinical knowledge, anatomic imaging, functional imaging, and radiation physics. Philips MR and spectral CT solutions provide the data on which these key disciplines can be brought together to help improve radiation therapy planning to drive better patient outcomes, simplify workflows, increase oncology department efficiency, and lower the cost of care.

Spectral CT delivers detailed tumor morphology and physiology

Radiation therapy, delivered via powerful X-ray or proton beams that disrupt the DNA in cancer cells to stop them from multiplying, is a powerful tool in today’s fight against cancer. However, X-ray and proton beams can also destroy healthy tissue while killing tumor tissue. As a result, the safety and success of radiation therapy relies heavily on the ability to visualize and delineate the 3D coordinates of a tumor so the beam can be accurately targeted, killing the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissue and internal organs.

The Philips Spectral CT 7500 scanner being showcased at ASTRO 2023 offers radiation oncologists a unique CT solution in a single scan. The incremental Spectral CT information can help improve the visibility of a tumor’s boundaries and internal physiology to enhance the accuracy of dose calculation and tumor targeting, helping to reduce the number of scans or modalities needed to plan radiation therapy. Used with an iodinated contrast media, it also allows quantitative tissue perfusion measurements to determine which tumor parts are most active, contributing to the accuracy and confidence of tumor delineation, contouring, and dose profiling when planning radiation therapy. A spectral CT scan can also be used to assess a patient’s response to radiation therapy and, if necessary, adjust their treatment plan. In addition, the CT 7500 enhances accurate visualization of tumors that are subject to movement, such as those in the lungs.

A Philips Spectral CT 7500 clinical image of a prostate lesion

Advances in MR spotlighted at ASTRO

Philips will highlight its MR-based solutions for tumor delineation including its latest MR-only MRCAT application in Head and Neck on the Philips MR-RT XD platform. The company will demonstrate its unique ability to scan brain and Head and Neck patients in the diagnostic coil with the DSPS Prominent thermoplastic mask from MacroMedics, leading to better patient comfort and image quality. Patients also benefit from the experience, via Philips’ In-Bore connect capabilities which allow them to watch a comforting video during their scans. At ASTRO 2023, radiotherapist Dr. Cornelis Raaijmakers of University Medical Center Utrecht (UMC Utrecht) in the Netherlands will present his department’s latest results using Philips’ MR-based radiotherapy planning and simulation system for treating brain and head and neck cancer patients leveraging these advanced MR technologies.

For more information on Philips activities at ASTRO 2023, follow @PhilipsLiveFrom #ASTRO23.