New technology developed at BC Cancer Agency may revolutionize radiation therapy delivery

The Agency developed a revolutionary technology called Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) that will enable cancer patients to receive faster and more precise radiation therapy through a single 360-degree rotation of the radiation beam around the body. VMAT involves an innovative method for manipulating the radiation beams that can be delivered from a standard linear accelerator (a machine used to give radiation therapy to destroy cancerous tumours) – a technique that has never been accomplished before.