Adaptive Radiation Therapy (ART)

Adaptive Radiation Therapy (ART) is the future of personalized radiation therapy. Varian Ethos therapy is an artificial intelligence (AI)-driven holistic solution designed to increase the capability, flexibility and efficiency of radiation therapy.

The new therapy is designed to deliver an entire adaptive treatment in a typical 15-minute timeslot, from patient setup through treatment and delivery. Adaptive therapy provides the ability to adapt the treatment plan based on tumor and anatomical changes. The goal is to better target the tumor, reduce dose to healthy tissue and potentially improve overall outcomes.

Varian Ethos™ therapy system

The Varian Ethos™ therapy system, available in Detroit, is a revolutionary new therapy that allows personalized patient care on a daily basis to adapt to changes in normal tissue anatomy and radiation target structure.

With conventional intensity modulated radiation treatment (IMRT), the CT scan used for radiation treatment planning is acquired weeks before treatment. That scan is then compared against pre-treatment images each day to guide treatment delivery.

The streamlined workflow of Ethos therapy is enabled by its AI-driven planning and contouring capabilities. The AI algorithm is trained to identify anatomical structures by using image data from hundreds of real patients along with anatomical structures delineated by human anatomy experts. Before each treatment session, the patient is imaged and the Ethos system uses its algorithms to identify the target and normal tissue structures and create a new treatment plan optimized to meet the physician’s goals while incorporating the patient’s current anatomy. Physicians and physicists then carefully evaluate the anatomical structures and the new treatment plan generated by the Ethos system prior to delivery. The ability of the machine to deliver on-couch adaptive treatment puts the patient at the center of care.

Cancers treated with Adaptive Radiation Therapy

ART can be used to treat certain cancers, especially the following:
  • Anal cancer
  • Bladder cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Gynecologic cancers, such as cervical cancer, uterine cancer and ovarian cancer