What should you know about dual energy linear accelerator?

A linear accelerator creates high-energy radiation without placing a radioactive source inside the body. Dual-energy capability means the machine can use different photon beam energies during planning or delivery. The choice depends on the body area, tumour depth, treatment aim, and the need to limit exposure to healthy structures. The machine may also shape and direct the beam from several angles. This technology supports radiotherapy; it does not decide the dose or schedule by itself.

Before treatment, you usually have imaging and a planning appointment so the team can map the target and position your body consistently. During each session, you lie still while the machine moves around you; the treatment itself is not felt, although the appointment includes time for positioning and checks. Tell staff about implanted devices, pregnancy, difficulty lying flat, or pain that affects your position. Follow skin-care and medicine instructions supplied for your individual plan.

Contact your radiotherapy team about new or worsening pain, skin reactions, swallowing difficulty, breathlessness, unusual weakness, or symptoms that prevent you attending or positioning safely. Seek urgent help for severe breathing trouble, sudden neurological changes, or an acute allergic reaction to a treatment-related medicine. The team can explain which effects are expected for the treated body area.

Ask why a particular beam energy is planned, which organs are being protected, how positioning will be checked, how many visits are expected, and which symptoms should be reported the same day. Ask whether stereotactic body radiotherapy is relevant to your treatment goal.