How Artificial Intelligence Is
Transforming Radiation Therapy
Cancer treatment has advanced significantly in recent decades, and radiation therapy has been one of the most important tools in this process. However, even with major technological advances, one of the main challenges has always been to achieve maximum precision without affecting healthy tissue.
What is radiation therapy, and why is precision key?
Radiotherapy involves applying targeted radiation to destroy cancer cells. For it to be effective, the dose must be concentrated on the tumor and avoid impacting the surrounding healthy tissues as much as possible.
The challenge is the human body is not static: tumors can change in size, shape or position during treatment, and factors such as breathing can influence their location. So, even if the treatment is carefully planned at the outset, maintaining precision in each session is a constant challenge.
What role does AI play in radiation therapy?
To improve precision, radiation therapy has incorporated technologies that allow for highly accurate monitoring of the tumor’s location and the patient’s movements during treatment. Examples are image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) and surface-guided positioning (SGRT). However, these technologies focus on observing what happens at the time of treatment.
AI goes further: it not only allows physicians to observe, but also to adjust treatment based on those changes.
How AI Transforms Radiation Therapy
Adaptive radiotherapy is an approach that allows the radiation dose to be modified as the tumor responds to treatment.
Unlike traditional approaches, where treatment is defined before starting and remains relatively constant, adaptive radiotherapy using artificial intelligence allows each session to be adjusted according to the patient’s condition at that moment.
With systems like Ethos™, this process can be completed in a matter of minutes, allowing for:
❂ Adjusting treatment in real time.
❂ Improved accuracy in each session.
❂ Reducing the impact on healthy tissue.
❂ Reducing the risk of side effects.
More than just an incremental improvement, AI is transforming the way radiation therapy is delivered. It becomes a dynamic treatment, capable of continuously adapting throughout the entire process.
What does this mean for the patient?
This change has a direct impact on the patient’s experience. With treatments that adjust during each session:
❂ Healthy tissue is more protected.
❂ Treatment sessions are optimized.
❂ Safety is improved throughout the entire process.
❂ Care is much more personalized.
An example of innovation in practice
Centro Médico ABC in Mexico, recognized for its international standards of quality and technology, is part of the VUMI® VIP Provider Network. This prestigious institution integrates these advancements into its cancer care model.
Its Radiotherapy Unit incorporates tools such as IGRT and SGRT, along with adaptive radiotherapy that uses artificial intelligence. Additionally, Centro Médico is a pioneer in Latin America in its use of Ethos™ technology, allowing for treatment to be adapted in just minutes using AI. The result is a highly advanced level of personalization for both adults and children.
In addition, Centro Médico is certified by the International Society for Stereotactic Radiosurgery (ISRS), making it the only hospital in Mexico and one of the few in Latin America with this recognition in advanced radiosurgery.
Access to Innovation with VUMI®
Today, access to these types of treatments makes a significant difference in cancer management.
With VUMI®, policyholders can receive care at internationally renowned institutions such as the Centro Médico ABC, where innovation in radiation therapy allows for more precise, safer and patient-tailored treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions About AI-Powered Radiotherapy
❂ What is adaptive radiotherapy?
A radiation therapy that adjusts treatment based on changes in the tumor during the process.
❂ Is AI-powered radiation therapy safer?
Incorporating AI allows for greater precision, which helps protect healthy tissue and reduce risks.
❂ What types of cancer can be treated with advanced radiation therapy?
Various types of tumors benefit from this therapy, both primary and metastatic.
