Precision radiotherapy

At GenesisCare, we provide specialist cancer care to thousands of people worldwide. We offer cutting-edge, innovative cancer treatments that are clinically proven to be safe and effective.

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is a highly targeted radiation treatment that can be used to destroy tumours in just a few clinic visits. The MRIdian is the latest type of radiotherapy machine capable of providing SABR and it allows the treatment team to see and adjust for tumour movement during treatment using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This makes MR guided SABR a very safe and precise way to treat tumours of the liver. This ground-breaking and proven approach is now available at GenesisCare.

The MRIdian is one of the first of its kind in the world. It combines a powerful radiotherapy machine (called a linear accelerator or linac) with MRI technology to produce live, detailed images of your internal organs and tissues during treatment. Worldwide, many thousands of patients have benefitted from this technology.

Tumours of the liver can be difficult to target with other types of radiotherapy machine because they move during normal breathing and are near other unaffected organs. MRIdian MRI-guided radiotherapy is able to turn on the radiation beam only when the tumour is positioned precisely in the treatment window and turn off the beam in an instant if the tumour moves even by a fraction – helping to protect normal tissue from unnecessary radiation exposure. No other radiotherapy technology in the UK is currently able to achieve this.

GenesisCare is an expert provider of SABR treatments and has invested in the MRIdian to offer our patients access to this latest, world-class treatment here in the UK.

Enquire now about MRIdian

The MRIdian is available at our centres in Oxford and Cromwell Hospital in London. Your cancer specialist can refer you for a consultation. We’re recognised by all major insurers and we’ll help you with transport depending on treatment and locations, when required.

Benefits of the MRIdian for liver cancer

See with greater accuracy

As the position and shape of the tumour and normal tissue changes, the MRIdian allows us to alter the way the radiotherapy is given at each treatment for the best possible outcome

Automated beam control

If your tumour temporarily moves out of position, such as when you breathe, your treatment will automatically pause. This ensures that the radiotherapy beams are precisely focused

No invasive procedures

MRI-guided SABR is completely non-surgical, no tattoos are needed and there is no additional procedure required to precisely locate the tumour.

MRIdian radiotherapy for liver cancer

 

Having radiotherapy on the MRIdian may be suitable for you if you have liver cancer near to other organs, more than one liver tumour, or a tumour that is likely to move around when breathing. As each treatment can take over an hour, you must also be comfortable lying within the MRIdian for that length of time.

Your oncologist (a consultant doctor who specialises in cancer) will decide if this treatment is right for you by discussing your liver cancer diagnosis, treatments to date and overall health with a team of oncologists who are highly trained in delivering MRIdian radiotherapy and with your main oncologist or surgeon. By working together, they’ll create a personalised treatment plan that may include MRIdian radiotherapy, surgery and/or drug treatments. If they recommend MRIdian radiotherapy as the best option for you, your oncologist will explain the treatment in detail to you and provide you with written information about what to expect, as well as give you plenty of opportunity to ask questions.

If you choose to have your cancer treatment at GenesisCare, you’ll also have access to integrated cancer care, such as psychological support and wellbeing therapies, at no extra cost to you or your insurer. These therapies have been shown to reduce the burden of cancer and improve your quality of life, by helping to reduce symptoms and side effects of treatments and alleviate cancer-related concerns.

This is our commitment to offer world-class care to every patient with cancer.

Side effects

All treatments carry risks, so it’s important that you discuss your treatment and any options you have with your doctor to understand what’s right for you and what to expect.

Your GenesisCare consultant will discuss with you which of these you may experience. It’s important that you attend your follow-up appointments so we can identify and treat any problems as soon as possible. Your consultant and radiographers can also provide advice about things you can try to help, and no question is too small if you have any queries or concerns.

We know that living with cancer can be challenging. That’s why you’ll also be offered support through life-changing therapies, such as psychological support and wellbeing therapies. These are provided to all patients at no extra cost to you or your insurer, to help you manage the side effects of treatment and symptoms of cancer.

What does MRIdian treatment involve?

Here is an outline of what to expect after your initial consultation and before, during and after your treatment. There are four stages to the process: your planning appointment, planning, treatment and follow-up. Before your first appointment, your care team will call you to explain any preparation instructions in advance of your appointments and to answer any questions.

Our GenesisCare centre in Oxford is rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC)

Patient stories

Alan's story

MRIdian radiotherapy for liver metastases.

Our team of experts

To make sure you get the best treatment based on your needs, your consultant will work with a team of selected SABR consultants specialising in liver cancer to review and plan your personalised treatment. 

Dr Luis Aznar-Garcia

MD, PhD, MRCR

Consultant Clinical Oncologist

Nottingham +2

Dr Andy Gaya

BSc, MB BS, MRCP, FRCR, MD

Clinical Oncologist

London Cromwell Hospital

Dr Philip Camilleri

MD, MRCP, FRCR

Clinical Oncologist

Oxford +1

Dr James Good

MSc PhD FRCR

Clinical Oncologist

Oxford +1

Dr Veni Ezhil

MBBS, MRCP, FRCR

Clinical Oncologist

Guildford +3

Dr John Conibear

MBBCh, BSc, MRCP, MSc, FRCR, MD(Res)

Clinical Oncologist

London Cromwell Hospital +1

Dr Alex Martin

MA, BM BCh, MD, MRCP, FRCR

Clinical Oncologist

Cambridge +1

Find a centre near you