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Radiation therapy has advanced significantly over the years, helping make cancer treatment more precise, personalized, and comfortable for patients. Radiation Oncology Centers of Ventura County are proud to be the first centers to bring Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT) to Ventura County, offering patients access to advanced real-time positioning technology with the Catalyst™ Lite system.
SGRT uses advanced optical imaging technology to monitor a patient’s position in real time during radiation treatment. This added layer of guidance helps your care team maintain accurate alignment throughout each session — all without additional radiation exposure or invasive devices.
For patients, this means treatment is continuously monitored from beginning to end to support both precision and peace of mind.
Surface Guided Radiation Therapy is a non-invasive positioning and monitoring technology used during radiation treatment. Instead of relying only on traditional skin marks or manual setup methods, SGRT creates a highly detailed 3D map of the patient’s body surface.
During treatment, the system continuously compares the patient’s current position to the planned treatment position in real time. If movement occurs, the radiation therapy team can immediately see even small changes and respond if adjustments are needed.
The technology works using specialized optical cameras positioned in the treatment room, allowing monitoring to happen completely contact-free and without additional imaging radiation.
Traditional radiation therapy setup methods sometimes require small tattoos or permanent skin marks for positioning. With SGRT, the body’s natural surface contours can often be used for alignment instead.
For many patients, avoiding permanent treatment-related markings can help make the experience feel less stressful and more comfortable.
Even when patients remain very still, natural body movement can occur during treatment. Breathing, posture changes, and small shifts can slightly affect positioning.
SGRT continuously monitors body position throughout the treatment session — not just during the initial setup. This real-time guidance helps support consistent treatment delivery from start to finish.
Radiation therapy is carefully planned to target cancer while helping protect healthy tissue nearby. Real-time surface guidance gives clinicians another tool to monitor alignment during treatment.
This can be especially valuable for treatments involving areas near sensitive organs, including:
• Breast cancer treatments near the heart and lungs
• Treatments affected by normal breathing motion
• Cases requiring highly precise positioning during every session
Continuous monitoring helps the radiation therapy team maintain accurate positioning throughout treatment delivery.
SGRT is completely contact-free. There are:
• No additional procedures
• No devices attached to the body
• No extra radiation used for monitoring
Most patients simply lie comfortably during treatment while the system quietly works in the background to support the care team.
Catalyst™ Lite is designed to enhance radiation therapy accuracy through advanced surface guidance technology.
Using real-time optical imaging, the system continuously tracks the patient’s body surface and compares it to the planned treatment position. If even slight movement occurs, clinicians receive immediate feedback.
This ongoing monitoring helps support:
• Accurate patient positioning
• Consistent treatment delivery
• Improved workflow efficiency
• Enhanced patient comfort
While patients experience a simple and streamlined treatment session, the technology is actively assisting the radiation oncology team behind the scenes.
Cancer treatment can feel overwhelming, especially when facing unfamiliar technology and procedures. SGRT helps provide reassurance by continuously monitoring positioning throughout each treatment session.
Many patients appreciate knowing their care team is using advanced tools designed to support precision, consistency, and safety during therapy.
At every step, the focus remains on delivering compassionate care with advanced treatment technology tailored to each patient’s needs.
Does SGRT use additional radiation?
No. SGRT uses optical camera technology and does not expose patients to additional radiation during monitoring.
Will I feel anything during treatment?
No. The system works quietly in the background while you remain comfortably positioned during treatment.
Can SGRT help reduce the need for tattoos?
In many cases, yes. Surface guidance technology may reduce or minimize the need for permanent skin markings used in traditional setup methods.
Why is real-time monitoring important?
Real-time monitoring helps clinicians observe even small movements during treatment, supporting accurate positioning throughout the session.
Modern radiation therapy continues evolving to improve both treatment precision and the patient experience. Surface Guided Radiation Therapy with Catalyst™ Lite is one of the many ways advanced technology is helping support safer, more personalized cancer care.
Our team remains committed to combining innovative treatment approaches with compassionate support throughout every stage of care.
