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Artificial intelligence (AI) helps cancer patients to gentler and more optimal radiation therapy
Herlev hospital in Denmark is the first in the world to start using a new system that, by means of advanced software and artificial intelligence, will improve radiation therapy for cancer patients. In the long term, the new system will also allow better use of limited health resources.
A public-private partnership
The introduction of the new system has come about due to a major tendering procedure organized by the Capital Region of Denmark, and thanks to efficient introduction of the latest technology by the hospital. The Capital Region of Denmark first reported the news in September 2019.
Behind the new system is the world's largest supplier of radiation therapy equipment, Varian Oncology Systems EMEIA. The company launched the machine on 15 September 2019 at ASTROs Annual Meeting, a major radiotherapy congress held in the US.
Cooperation agreement with regular upgrades
As part of the cooperation agreement with Varian, Herlev hospital in The Capital Region of Denmark has been selected as the first hospital in the world to offer the new technology because, two years ago, the Region held a major tendering procedure for 17 radiation devices. The contract also means that Riget hospital in the Capital Region will install the systems in early 2020."We work well with Herlev Hospital on the new radiation therapy technology. They have been fast and very open in introducing new methods and systems, and therefore it also made sense for us to collaborate on testing and implementing the new ground-breaking treatment technology,” said Jean-Luc Devleeschauwer, President of Varian Oncology Systems EMEIA.
Treatment tailored for the individual
In brief, with the new system, the hospital have installed artificial intelligence in a new accelerator; for example in a machine used to treat patients with bladder cancer. The new system means that a number of manual processes around radiation therapy are automated, and therefore completed much more quickly.
"What used to take days will now take just minutes,"
He expects that initially 500 patients will benefit annually from the system. More specifically, this means that it will be possible every day to draw up a new advanced plan for radiation therapy for cancer patients. For example, the plan will take into account the daily variations in bladder size, and thereby provide a more exact information of the area where the cancer is usually located. Therefore, patients will experience that the cancer treatment is more efficient and gentler, as it will be possible to limit the radiation to the area where it is necessary.
"The Region's strategic procurement is about constantly working with suppliers to find better and gentler treatments that can be tailored to the individual. When you are struck by a serious disease like cancer, getting through treatment as quickly and as gently as possible and returning to a normal life means everything,”
For the Chairman of the Regional Council, it is also important to use technology to compensate for the increasing shortage of doctors and other healthcare personnel.
"Artificial intelligence will give us an extra helping hand,"
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