Charityfunded technology transforms radiotherapy at Musgrove Hospital

Patients with head and neck or breast cancers benefit from advanced technology
that removes the need for tattoos or treatment marks, as well as open mask designs
which improve comfort during radiotherapy.

Surfaceguided radiotherapy began to be introduced at Musgrove Park Hospital in
January 2024 by the radiotherapy, physics and oncology teams, marking a
significant step forward in improving patient experience and safety whilst maintaining
treatment accuracy.

The new system was made possible thanks to an £800,000 donation from the
Somerset Unit for Radiotherapy Equipment (SURE) charity, which funded the
technology across both pretreatment and treatment areas.

The surfaceguided radiotherapy cameras use infrared technology to track a patient’s
body surface in real time. This means colleagues can continuously monitor a
patient’s position during treatment, helping to ensure radiotherapy is delivered
accurately and safely while reducing the need for permanent skin markings.
Since its introduction, the technology has been rolled out across multiple cancer
treatment sites, with the most recent implementations for patients undergoing
radiotherapy to the head and neck and breast regions.

For patients undergoing radiotherapy to the head and neck, the system now allows
the use of an openface head only mask rather than a traditional fullface and
shoulders mask. This offers a more comfortable experience while maintaining
precise positioning throughout treatment.

Johnathon Aylsbury, from Bridgwater, has recently finished six weeks of daily
radiotherapy for head and neck cancer and has appreciated the masks making his
treatment more comfortable. He said “The new head and neck support mask was
straightforward and easy to use, the radiotherapy team had me set up for treatment
within 4 or 5 minutes, I had my treatment and was in and out very quicky.

“The masks are much better than the previous ones I’d seen, which was one less
thing to be worried about in an unpleasant time having treatment. It was another
positive that you don’t need to have any tattoo’s anymore as well.”
Patients undergoing radiotherapy to the breast also benefit from the system through
the use of a breathhold technique, where the cameras help guide and monitor
patients into the correct position. This removes the need for pen marks or
radiotherapy tattoos, which are no longer required for any treatment site.

Vanessa from Bridgwater has had 15 treatment sessions at
the Beacon centre for breast cancer and explained how the new equipment helped
her get in position for her treatment. She said “Using the visual aid helped me to
maintain my breath hold at the right level as I could see if the green bar so moving or
not.

“I’m 64 so I wasn’t too bothered about the thought of needing a tattoo, but for other
patients I can see how psychologically, it’s yet another reminder of the trauma you’ve
been through.

The whole radiotherapy team, and I met quite a few of them, every one of them was
really kind and genuinely concerned and interested in how I was doing and how the
treatment was affecting me. The receptionist at the Beacon centre was super nice
and helpful, and took the trouble of remembering my name.
They made what could have been a very frightening and traumatic experience, as
comfortable as possible.”

This development reflects the ongoing commitment of Musgrove Park Hospital’s
radiotherapy team to improving patient comfort while maintaining the highest
standards of precision and care.