BGC — St. Luke's Medical Center–Global City launched a next-generation TrueBeam radiotherapy system on September 21, 2026, equipping its cancer center with four advanced technologies designed to make treatment more precise, faster, and more comfortable for patients.
A New Era of Precision Cancer Care
The new system features HyperSight, RapidArc Dynamic, ExacTrac Dynamic, and HyperArc, allowing radiation oncologists to deliver targeted radiation while limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. The hospital said the enhanced platform can reduce radiation exposure to healthy tissues by as much as 50 percent.
Radiation Oncologist Angela Peña-Camacho emphasized that the technology is much safer for patients and offers better total protection. She noted that the system can treat a variety of cancers, including those affecting the brain, head and neck, lungs, breast, pelvis, skin, and muscles. The investment reflects St. Luke's commitment to bringing advanced cancer treatment closer to home.
Faster Treatment for Brain Lesions
Among the system's standout features is HyperArc, designed specifically for patients with multiple brain lesions. It allows doctors to deliver high-dose radiation using a frameless thermoplastic mask instead of the head frames traditionally used in stereotactic radiosurgery. This innovation eliminates the discomfort and complexity of older methods.
Procedures that previously took three to four hours can now be completed in about 10 to 15 minutes. Peña-Camacho described the experience as frameless and very comfortable for the patient. The speed and precision of HyperArc represent a significant leap forward for patients facing complex brain treatments.
Real-Time Tracking Technology
The system also includes ExacTrac Dynamic, described by St. Luke's as the first of its kind in the country. It uses thermal surface and X-ray tracking to detect submillimeter movements during treatment. If a patient moves and alignment changes, the radiation beam automatically stops and resumes once proper alignment is restored.
Peña-Camacho said the technology is particularly useful for tumors in areas affected by movement, such as the breast, lungs, and abdomen. The ability to pause and resume treatment ensures that radiation reaches only the intended target. This real-time precision protects healthy tissue and improves overall safety.
Clearer Images, Smarter Planning
The HyperSight imaging system provides high-definition 3D images before each treatment session. The hospital said it cuts image acquisition time by half compared with other systems and provides clearer images to help doctors align patients and target tumors accurately. Better imaging translates directly into better outcomes.
The fourth upgrade, RapidArc Dynamic, combines real-time automated dynamic collimator rotation with volumetric modulated arc therapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy. This allows doctors to adjust the shape and intensity of radiation beams to complex tumors. Peña-Camacho said the system provides greater precision while enabling customized treatment plans for different cancer sites.
Comfort and Accessibility for Patients
For breast cancer patients, treatment can incorporate deep-inspiration breath hold, in which patients take a deep breath to create greater separation between the heart and chest wall during radiation. This technique potentially reduces radiation exposure to the heart. The hospital is preparing treatment packages for different disease sites.
Peña-Camacho said treatment costs vary depending on the cancer site and package. Procedures are covered by PhilHealth, making advanced care more accessible. St. Luke's Global City currently has an existing TrueBeam machine in addition to the newly launched system. The older machine can also be upgraded, while the new unit will handle specialized procedures, particularly those involving the brain.
