What should you know about TrueBeam linear accelerator?

A linear accelerator produces high-energy radiation for external-beam radiotherapy. TrueBeam combines the radiation source with imaging and treatment controls, allowing the team to check positioning and shape the beam for the planned target.

You lie on a treatment couch while the machine moves around you without touching your body. The radiation itself cannot be seen or felt. A session may include positioning, imaging and delivery, so the time in the room is longer than the beam-on time.

Before treatment, you may have a planning scan and a customised position aid. Your team marks the treatment area and explains whether you need to hold still, hold your breath or follow another breathing instruction.

Wear comfortable clothing and follow the preparation instructions for your body area. Tell the team about implanted devices, pregnancy or possible pregnancy, and medicines or skin problems near the treatment area. TrueBeam can be used for several radiotherapy approaches, including highly focused treatment when clinically suitable.

Contact your radiotherapy team promptly if you develop worsening skin irritation, increasing pain, trouble swallowing, repeated vomiting, new weakness or difficulty managing fluids. Seek urgent medical help for severe breathlessness, chest pain, confusion, a seizure or sudden loss of movement.

Ask which area will be treated, how imaging will be used, how many visits are planned, what preparation is needed, and which side effects should be reported the same day. You can also ask whether standard radiotherapy or stereotactic body radiotherapy is the better fit for your treatment plan.