Dresden's OncoRay Center Unveils World's First PCCT Scanner for Cancer Treatment
Dresden's OncoRay Center is set to revolutionize cancer treatment with the world's first installation of a photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) scanner for radiation therapy. The device, due to be operational by mid-July, promises enhanced precision and reduced radiation dose for cancer patients.
The PCCT scanner, acquired with a €2 million grant from the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, counts every individual X-ray photon. This innovative technology enables more detailed and anatomically rich images than conventional CT systems. Prof. Christian Richter, head of the Department of Medical Radiation Physics at OncoRay, expects this technology to become the standard for quantitative imaging in CT within a decade.
A key advantage of the PCCT scanner is its ability to treat moving tumors with the DirectSPR method. Previously, this method was only usable for stationary cancer. This advancement reaffirms Dresden's role as an internationally leading location for medical innovations and future-oriented cancer research.
The new PCCT device will be installed in the coming weeks and can be clinically used from mid-July. It promises to enhance the precision of treatment planning, especially for proton therapy, and reduce radiation dose for cancer patients. This significant acquisition further cements Dresden's position at the forefront of cancer research and treatment.
