In the world of radiation oncology, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided radiation therapy is paving the way for more effective treatments with fewer side effects. The CHUM is one of the two first hospitals in Quebec to embrace this cutting-edge technology, having acquired an MRI-LINAC machine that can target tumours and guide the delivery of radiation precisely where it is needed, in real time.
We have only just begun to scratch the surface of what might be possible with MRI-guided adaptive radiation therapy, and the CHUM will get to play a vital role in establishing how this new technology will fit into the broader arsenal of radiation therapy. The CHUM’s donation-funded MRI-LINAC integration program will help drive research related to its use and elevate the level of care for hundreds of patients each year.
“It’s like being able to use a GPS to find a tumour instead of just a map. Lots of people from all over Quebec will be referred to the CHUM for this brand-new treatment, which has the potential to improve outcomes for various cancers, including some of the hardest to get rid of. Your generosity will help give our innovative MRI-LINAC assessment approach a global reach. It will be especially useful in helping care teams identify the patients who are most likely to benefit from MRI-LINAC.”
— Dr. Cynthia Ménard, head of the CHUM’s radiation oncology department