Oncology in the Western Cape is advancing significantly with the introduction of the province’s first Align RT advanced markerless patient tracking system for radiation therapy. This development marks a crucial step forward for private-sector Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT) in the region. “With growing international support for SGRT in the treatment of breast cancer, brain tumours, head and neck cancers, sarcomas, and other conditions, the recent installation of this advanced system at Netcare N1 City Hospital’s radiation unit represents a major advancement in cancer care for the Cape region,” says Dr Cindy Aitton, head of Netcare Cancer Care.
Dr John Sauer, a radiation oncologist at Netcare N1 City Hospital, highlights the enhanced precision and safety offered by the new system. “The Align RT uses fixed cameras in the treatment room to track the patient’s skin surface in three dimensions, both for setup and motion management during radiotherapy. This ensures precise positioning and monitoring, directing radiation beams exactly where needed and minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue,” he explains.
The system continuously monitors thousands of points on the skin’s surface, detecting any small shifts in position during treatment. If a patient moves during radiation therapy, the system automatically pauses the radiation beam to prevent accidental exposure. This technology ensures submillimeter accuracy, protecting healthy tissue and critical st.