Riverina Cancer Care Center has treated its first patient with Elekta's Agility-equipped Synergy radiotherapy system at its New South Wales facility in Australia.

Agility system , which includes ultra-fast leaf movements, is designed to deliver radiation to the distinctive contours of the tumor and reduce radiation exposure of healthy normal tissues.

The results demonstrated that Agility-equipped Elekta Synergy radiotherapy system has  decreased beam delivery time by up to seven minutes for a variety of cancers.

Riverina Cancer Care Center managing director Damien Williams said in addition to its delivery speed, the Synergy system is known for its beam-shaping accuracy.

 "Reducing beam delivery time for complex IMRT treatments by up to seven minutes – from around 16 or 17 minutes with our previous system to 9 or 10 minutes with the Agility-equipped Synergy, this is a very significant efficiency and clinical benefit," Williams added.

"The interdigitation capabilities of Agility enables far fewer segments for complex plans."