【Tungs Hospital】Halcyon™: Treat & Monitor | Cancer Radiotherapy
【Tungs Hospital】Halcyon™: Treat & Monitor | Cancer Radiotherapy
Mr. Ramon from the Philippines was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer years ago, with metastasis to the bones that caused him to endure severe spinal pain over a long period of time. On a friend’s recommendation, he decided to come to Taiwan for radiotherapy. Upon arrival, Mr. Ramon relied on a wheelchair, assisted by airline staff at Taoyuan International Airport, and was then transferred to our hospital by shuttle service for admission and treatment. After receiving Halcyon™ radiotherapy, his condition improved significantly; by the time of discharge, he was able to walk independently without the need for a wheelchair. Even after returning home, both his pain and cancer progression have remained under control. Dr. Chih-Yuan Yeh, Director of the Department of Radiation Oncology at Tungs’ Hospital, emphasized that radiotherapy plays a crucial role in cancer treatment, commonly used to shrink tumors, kill cancer cells, and relieve symptoms. A single course of radiotherapy may take several weeks and involve dozens of sessions. During this period, the tumor itself may change in size or position due to treatment. Without timely monitoring and adjustment of the treatment plan, such changes could lead to dosage inaccuracies, affecting both the effectiveness of the therapy and the safety of surrounding healthy tissues. Hypersight Navigation Speeds Up Positioning and Enables Precise Adaptive Radiotherapy In the past, radiotherapy positioning relied on conventional image guidance, which was often limited by insufficient image resolution and lengthy processing times, restricting the ability to make real-time adjustments. The newly introduced Halcyon™ system, equipped with Hypersight technology, can capture cone-beam CT images in just six seconds and directly calculate dosage on the images. With image quality comparable to diagnostic CT scans and a field of view covering the entire tumor region and surrounding critical organs, it helps physicians assess patient positioning, tumor location, and volume changes—greatly enhancing treatment accuracy. This technology also advances the practice ofAdaptive Radiotherapy. Dr. Chih-Yuan Yeh explained that this approach allows physicians to fine-tune treatment parameters based on the patient’s daily condition, transforming radiotherapy from a single fixed plan into a dynamic, real-time adjusted process—achieving truly precise and personalized care. Dr. Chia-Hua Yen, attending physician in the Department of Radiation Oncology, added that for cancers such as prostate cancer, where tumors are located near the bladder and rectum, their position may shift due to urination or weight changes. Halcyon’s combination of rapid navigation and adjustment capabilities can correct these shifts in real time, preventing dosage errors, improving treatment effectiveness, and reducing the risk of side effects. Dr. Chia-Hua Yen, attending physician in the Department of Radiation Oncology, added that for cancers such as prostate cancer, where tumors are located near the bladder and rectum, their position may shift due to urination or weight changes. Halcyon’s combination of rapid navigation and adjustment capabilities can correct these shifts in real time, preventing dosage errors, improving treatment effectiveness, and reducing the risk of side effects. Clinical Case Highlights: Tumor Shrinkage Increases Chance of Cure Patients at Tungs’ Hospital have already benefited from this advanced technology. One 57-year-old patient was diagnosed with stage I oral cancer in 2024. Although surgery initially went well, later that year a 0.5 cm tumor reappeared on the lip, followed by a large tumor of about 350 cubic centimeters extending from the cheek to the shoulder and neck. Because of the tumor’s size and the high surgical risk, the medical team decided to begin treatment with Halcyon™ radiotherapy. Over the course of one and a half months, the patient underwent 35 radiotherapy sessions, with Hypersight imaging scans performed daily to monitor tumor size and positioning. By the end of treatment, the tumor volume had shrunk from 350 cc to around 200 cc. This allowed the patient to successfully continue with chemotherapy and surgery, significantly improving the likelihood of complete tumor removal. Dr. Chih-Yuan Yeh noted that despite the intensive regimen, the patient tolerated treatment well, showing how new technology can boost both treatment tolerance and patient confidence. Precision and Real-Time Benefits: Helping Patients with Metastatic Disease Dr. Yeh further explained that Halcyon™ is suitable for a wide range of cancers, offering particular advantages for patients with widespread or complex tumors. For example, patients with multiple lung metastases were once considered unsuitable for radiotherapy. Today, by combining Halcyon™ with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), multiple lesions can be treated safely and precisely with high doses. He also cited international clinical research showing that patients with nasopharyngeal and head and neck cancers who received adaptive radiotherapy achieved a 10% higher 5-year survival rate. To date, more than 200 patients have received high-quality treatment using the Halcyon™ system at Tungs’ Hospital. President Min-Che Tung emphasized that precision and timeliness are at the core of cancer treatment. The introduction of Halcyon™ demonstrates the hospital’s commitment to patient health and reflects its mission to use innovative technology and quality care to guide more cancer patients toward recovery. -- Official Website:https://tconf.sltung.com.tw/imc/ FB:https://www.facebook.com/ttmhhimsc/ Email: thimsc.tung@gmail.com