AlignRT Launch Marks Major Step Forward in Cancer Treatment at Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust marked a major milestone in patient-centred cancer care with the launch of a new Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT) system.
This new technology represents a shift in how radiation therapy is delivered, prioritising precision, safety, and patient comfort. SGRT, delivered via AlignRT, enables completely tattoo and mark-free radiotherapy and has been shown in several studies to be at least as accurate as either marks or tattoos for positioning patients prior to treatment1,2,3.
A Growing Commitment to SGRT
Leeds currently operates 12 linear accelerators, three CT scanners, and an MRI simulator. As part of their ongoing transformation, the Trust is rolling out five AlignRT systems by the end of summer 2025. All breast cancer patients are expected to be treated without permanent tattoos or skin marks by the end of next year.
The unveiling of the new AlignRT system took place in the Bexley Wing at Leeds Cancer Centre, with Peter Enever, Head of Radiotherapy, and Keeley Townend, General Manager, officially opening the facility. The event was attended by Dame Linda Pollard, Chair of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Paul Watkins, Director of Fundraising at Leeds Hospitals Charity, as well as several major donors and patients whose care has been transformed by AlignRT.
This AlignRT integration reflects a broader commitment to innovation and accuracy in radiotherapy. It is a contactless and non-invasive technology that tracks patient’s position before and during radiation therapy with sub-millimetric accuracy. This ensures radiation is delivered exactly as planned.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is already using SGRT for the majority of its breast cancer patients. Clinicians are employing advanced techniques such as Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH) for left-sided breast cancer patients, which is enhanced by the precision and reliability of SGRT. Over the next six months, they will expand their use to cover all breast patients. They will then look to expand its use into other tumour sites.
The SGRT implementation has been made possible by a £600,000 donation from Leeds Hospitals Charity, with additional funding from the West Yorkshire Cancer Alliance. This partnership between clinicians, charitable donors, and the wider community demonstrates the powerful role of philanthropy in driving forward innovation in cancer treatment.
Looking Ahead
The adoption of SGRT is not only a technological upgrade, but it’s a cultural and clinical shift toward more precise, personalised, and compassionate care. For the Leeds team, it reflects their ongoing commitment to putting patients at the centre of treatment planning and delivery.
Peter Enever said: “I could stand here and speak at length about the system’s precision or the efficiencies it brings, but ultimately, this is about the patients. This technology allows us to deliver safer treatments without the need for tattoos or skin marks. Patients now have the option to avoid a lasting physical reminder of their treatment, and we hope to make this a reality for every patient in the future.”
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About Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS trust:
As the largest single-site cancer centre in the country, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS trust plays a vital role in delivering specialist oncology services across the region and beyond. Each year, the hospital provides care for more than 7,000 cancer patients, offering access to advanced technologies and leading-edge treatment approaches.
About Vision RT:
For nearly 25 years, Vision RT has been on a mission to make radiation therapy more effective for cancer patients. We are the inventors of, and market leaders in, Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT), which uses 3D cameras to help guide radiation therapy at every step: Sim, Plan, Treat and Dose. Our systems are in active clinical use in more than 3,000 clinics globally, including 24 out of the top 25 Best Hospitals for Cancer4
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- Herron et al. (2018). Surface Guided Radiation Therapy as a Replacement for Patient Marks in Treatment of Breast Cancer. International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, 102(3), pp.e492–e493.
- Shah AP, Dvorak T, Curry MS, Buchholz DJ, Meeks SL. Clinical evaluation of interfractional variations for whole breast radiotherapy using 3-dimensional surface imaging. Pract Radiat Oncol. 2013 Jan-Mar;3(1):16-25
- Sueyoshi M, Olch AJ, Liu KX, Chlebik A, Clark D, Wong KK. Eliminating Daily Shifts, Tattoos, and Skin Marks: Streamlining Isocenter Localization With Treatment Plan Embedded Couch Values for External Beam Radiation Therapy. Pract Radiat Oncol. 2019 Jan;9(1):e110-e117.
- https://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/cancer (2024-2025)
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