TrueBeam STx

Istanbul

TrueBeam STx in Istanbul is available at 4 hospitals in the Voumed network.

TrueBeam STx is an advanced linear accelerator, a machine that delivers external radiotherapy to treat cancer with very high precision. It shapes powerful radiation beams to match the exact size and shape of a tumour and aims them from many angles, so that a strong dose reaches the target while nearby healthy tissue and organs receive as little as possible. Because it tracks the target and can account for movement such as breathing, it is accurate to within millimetres. This makes it suitable both for conventional, daily radiotherapy and for advanced focused techniques that treat a tumour in only a few sessions. The treatment is non-invasive and painless, with nothing entering the body.

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At a glance

Type: image-guided linear accelerator for external radiotherapy
Used for: tumours throughout the body, including brain, lung, spine, prostate, breast and liver
Key benefit: millimetre precision that targets the tumour while sparing healthy tissue
Session: short daily sessions, or a few focused sessions for stereotactic treatment
Where it is used: accredited cancer and radiotherapy centres abroad

What it is

TrueBeam STx is a high-precision external beam radiotherapy system. The patient lies on a treatment couch and the machine rotates around the body, delivering radiation from many directions without ever touching the skin. Built-in imaging takes pictures of the tumour just before and during treatment, confirming its exact position each time so the beam stays locked on target. The beam itself is shaped by a device with many thin moving leaves, which mould the radiation to the outline of the tumour. Together, this precise targeting and shaping allow a high dose to be concentrated on the cancer while limiting the dose to the surrounding healthy tissue and sensitive organs.

How it works

Radiotherapy works by damaging the DNA of cancer cells so that they can no longer grow and divide, and the body gradually clears them away. With TrueBeam STx, a treatment plan is first created from detailed scans, mapping the tumour and the structures to protect around it. At each session the patient is carefully positioned, imaging confirms the target, and the machine then delivers the planned beams, often completing each treatment in only a few minutes. The patient feels nothing during the radiation, which is similar to having an X-ray taken, and lies still and relaxed. For some cancers a higher dose is given over a small number of sessions using stereotactic techniques, while for others a lower dose is spread over several weeks of short daily visits.

What it treats and who it helps

TrueBeam STx can treat a wide range of cancers in almost any part of the body, including tumours of the brain, head and neck, lung, breast, spine, liver, pancreas, prostate and other pelvic organs. It is used both to try to cure cancer and, in other situations, to control disease or relieve symptoms such as pain. Its precision makes it especially valuable for tumours that sit close to critical structures, for small targets that benefit from focused stereotactic radiosurgery or body radiotherapy, and for tumours that move with breathing, since the system can adjust for that motion. The right approach is always decided by a specialist team based on the type, stage and location of the cancer and the patient's overall health.

Benefits and what to expect

The main benefit is accurate, powerful treatment that protects healthy tissue, which helps reduce side effects and supports a better quality of life during and after treatment. Because the system delivers each session quickly, time on the couch is short and comfortable, and the focused stereotactic options can complete treatment in only a few visits rather than many weeks. The treatment is completely non-invasive, requires no incision and usually no anaesthesia, and most patients continue their normal daily activities throughout a course of radiotherapy. Side effects, when they occur, are generally mild and depend on the area being treated; the care team explains what to expect, manages any effects and arranges follow-up to monitor the response over time.

Frequently asked questions

These answers are general guidance and may vary by provider. Confirm the details with the hospital you choose.

Is radiotherapy with TrueBeam STx painful?

No. The treatment itself is completely painless, much like having an X-ray. You lie still on the couch and feel nothing as the radiation is delivered. There is no needle and nothing enters your body during the session.

Is it safe, and what happens to healthy tissue?

It is a well-established and highly precise form of treatment. Image guidance and beam shaping concentrate the dose on the tumour while limiting what reaches nearby healthy tissue and organs, which helps reduce side effects. Your team carefully plans each treatment and monitors you throughout.

How many sessions will I need?

It varies with the cancer and the plan. Some focused stereotactic treatments are completed in only a few sessions, while conventional courses involve short daily visits over several weeks. Your radiation oncology team will explain the schedule that suits your case.

Will I be able to carry on with normal life during treatment?

Most patients do. Sessions are short and non-invasive, so many people continue working and their usual routines. Any side effects depend on the treated area and are managed by your care team, who will advise you if any activity needs to be adjusted.

How is this different from conventional radiotherapy?

It uses advanced imaging and beam shaping to target the tumour with millimetre accuracy and can adjust for movement such as breathing. This precision allows higher, more focused doses with better protection of healthy tissue, and in some cases far fewer sessions than older techniques.

Am I a candidate for this treatment?

Many cancers can be treated with this technology, but the decision depends on the tumour type, its size and location and your overall health. A radiation oncology team reviews your scans and medical history to decide whether it is the most suitable option for you.