Halcyon Linear Accelerator (HALCYON LINAC)
The center has been equipped with the latest-generation Halcyon linear accelerator (HALCYON LINAC) manufactured by the American medical devices company Varian. The selection of this specific system and its manufacturer was made by consultants and field specialists who, in their evaluation, prioritized factors such as quality, comprehensive treatment coverage for most tumor types, modern clinical practices, ease of use, and radiation safety.
This linear accelerator differs from conventional systems through a patient-centered design featuring a 100 cm-wide bore that resembles the design of a CT scanner. This configuration provides a calm environment that helps patients feel more comfortable and reduces stress and anxiety during radiotherapy sessions. Its unique dual-layer modulation system enables highly precise beam shaping, allowing the radiation dose to conform to tumors of varying sizes and shapes at different locations in the body, while offering greater protection to surrounding healthy tissues.
In addition, the system is capable of treating most tumors using external beam radiotherapy techniques, including three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT), intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). It also delivers short treatment sessions that can be completed within a few minutes. Treatment is carried out using image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) supported by integrated CT imaging, which confirms that the patient’s position matches the simulation session and aligns with the radiotherapy plan prepared by the medical physicist. Finally, the unit’s self-shielding feature, together with the shielding design of the treatment room, provides a safer environment and further reduces radiation risks to the surrounding area.