Imagine a future where cancer treatment is revolutionized by something as simple as changing the way patients are positioned during radiation therapy. Boldly, we're moving from the traditional lying-down approach to an upright stance, and it's opening doors to treatments once considered out of reach. But here's where it gets controversial: could this shift not only make cutting-edge therapies more accessible but also challenge the very foundations of how we've approached radiation therapy for decades? Join us for a live webinar at 4 p.m. GMT on 17 February 2026, where we'll dive deep into this transformative topic.
For generations, radiation therapy has relied on patients lying flat while the radiation beam rotates around them. However, this conventional method is being upended by the resurgence of upright patient positioning. And this is the part most people miss: novel radiation technologies like proton therapy, VHEE, and FLASH therapy are often too bulky to rotate around a patient, limiting their widespread adoption. By rotating the patient instead, these advanced treatments could finally become mainstream, offering new hope for cancer patients worldwide.
During the webinar, leading experts will explore how this simple yet profound change in patient positioning is enabling the exploration of innovative treatment geometries. For instance, upright positioning allows for more precise targeting of tumors, potentially reducing side effects and improving outcomes. But it’s not without its challenges—some argue that the transition could disrupt established protocols and require significant retraining for medical professionals. Is this a risk worth taking, or are we moving too fast?
Meet the trailblazers who are shaping this future:
- Serdar Charyyev, Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, will shed light on the transformative potential of proton therapy.
- Eric Deutsch, Head of Radiotherapy at Gustave Roussy, will discuss the groundbreaking applications of VHEE FLASH therapy.
- Bill Loo, Professor of Radiation Oncology at Stanford Medicine, will delve into the promise of FLASH photons.
- Rock Mackie, Emeritus Professor at the University of Wisconsin and Co-Founder and Chairman of Leo Cancer Care, will share insights into the broader implications of this shift.
This isn’t just a technical discussion—it’s a conversation about the future of cancer care. What if this change could save lives that were once considered untreatable? We invite you to join the debate and share your thoughts in the comments. Are we on the brink of a medical revolution, or is this just another step in a long journey? Register now to be part of this pivotal discussion and help shape the future of cancer treatment.
