1. Home
  2. Radiation Oncology
  3. Blog

Blog

AIO Solution 3.0 Advances Patient Comfort at the Institut Jules Bordet
All-in-One Modular System for Immobilization & Positioning
A universal challenge for radiotherapy teams is to effectively immobilize patients while maintaining patient comfort. The Institut Jules Bordet has achieved this harmony using the advanced AIO Solution 3.0.
Read more
The Orfit Extremities Solution at City of Hope
Comfortable Immobilization for More Accurate Treatments
City of Hope, one of the leading cancer centers in the United States, uses the Orfit Extremities Solution to immobilize patients’ hands, arms, feet, and legs, resulting in more effective and more efficient treatments.
Read more
Three Ways to Deliver Maximum Patient Comfort in Cancer Care
A cancer diagnosis can be scary and overwhelming. That's why supporting patient comfort during the treatment process is such an important component in delivering high-quality cancer care. We discuss three ways providers can deliver maximum patient comfort.
Read more
Researchers use Orfit immobilization devices and masks to evaluate new treatment techniques to further improve the delivery of radiation therapy
These studies highlight how Orfit’s highly precise immobilization systems are being used at leading research institutions to develop new treatment techniques and workflows to advance clinical outcomes for cancer therapy.
Read more
Treatment Accessories for Proton Therapy are Different. Here’s Why.
The unique characteristics of proton compatible immobilization systems
Learn why proton therapy requires specially designed treatment accessories to ensure safe, effective, and accurate treatment.
Read more
MR-Guided Brachytherapy with the Zephyr Patient Positioning and Transfer System
For Improved Patient Care and Staff Safety
Learn how the Zephyr Patient Positioning and Transfer System helps to improve MR-guided brachytherapy treatment.
Read more
AIO Solution 3.0 Compatible for Use with Varian Medical Systems Halcyon™ and Ethos™ Radiotherapy Systems
Press Release
As part of the Varian Interoperability Program, Orfit is pleased to announce today that its AIO Solution 3.0 is compatible for use with Halcyon™ and Ethos™ radiotherapy systems. 
Read more
Choosing the Most Suitable Orfit Masks for Head and Neck
3 steps to find the right mask for your patient
We help you choose the most suitable Head and Neck mask from the extensive range of Orfit Masks. Follow the steps to select the right mask for your patient based on their needs and the immobilization equipment available at your center.
Read more
HP PRO Solution Put to the Test
Stable and reliable immobilization for proton and photon therapy
New clinical tests have confirmed the reliability and stability of the Orfit HP PRO, our proton compatible immobilization system.
Read more
How to Clean and Disinfect Orfit Masks and Hardware
Hygienic measures to protect the health of patients and staff
Excellent hygiene is now more important than ever. We inform you on how to clean and disinfect the Orfit masks and hardware at your radiotherapy facility.
Read more
Shoulder Positioning in Radiation Therapy
Improve patient comfort and facilitate shoulder positioning
When immobilizing head and neck patients for radiation therapy, take these tools and tips into account to improve shoulder positioning.
Read more
How to use Orfit Vacuum Bags
Positioning and indexing vacuum bags for optimal immobilization
It is of vital importance that vacuum bags are positioned and indexed correctly to ensure optimal reproducibility. This article discusses several positioning do's and don'ts and covers all indexing options to get perfect use out of Orfit Vacuum Bags.
Read more
Tips for Paediatric Radiation Therapy
How to reduce the emotional impact of radiation therapy on children
With a couple of extra measures, you can seriously improve the experience of paediatric patients receiving radiation therapy. We list helpful tools and ideas that make all the difference for younger patients.
Read more
How to Choose the Right Head Support for your Patient?
Radiotherapy Immobilization Using High Precision Head Supports and Blocks and Wedges
Orfit High Precision Head Supports and Blocks and Wedges come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. This wide range allows you to perfectly adapt the immobilization set-up to the patient’s anatomy and the requirements of the treatment. Find out how to use them to obtain a safe and reproducible immobilization.
Read more
Orfit High Precision Immobilization Put to the Test
Patient immobilization systems as an active component in high-quality head and neck radiation therapy
Today’s imaging and target localization possibilities in radiation oncology allow you to see how your treatment plan corresponds with the location of the tumour. Based on these techniques, corrections can be made to spare healthy tissue. These innovative techniques can only be efficient if you are sure that your patient is immobilized during the delivery of the fraction.
Read more
Care and Maintenance of Vacuum Bags
How to take care of vacuum bags for an optimal life span
If you follow a few basic guidelines on cleaning, storing and repairing vacuum bags, you will be sure to make the absolute most out of them.
Read more
Why Radiation Therapy: An Introduction
Radiotherapy as a valuable part of qualitative cancer care
Radiation therapy is becoming increasingly used as a cancer treatment and is continuously developing on a technological level, but not everyone may know what this therapy entails. Based on articles by ESTRO and BRAVO, two advocates for creating awareness about radiation therapy, we explain why the treatment plays such an important role in cancer care.
Read more
Thermoplastic Bolus for Targeted Radiation Therapy
The characteristics and use of thermoplastic bolus material
What is thermoplastic bolus and how is it applied in radiation therapy? Discover how you can use it to alter the depth of the maximum radiation dose.
Read more
Best of 2018
Top 3 Orfit Radiation Oncology Blog Posts of 2018
It is heart-warming to observe that RT teams continuously look for ways to alleviate some of their patient’s worries. The decoration of thermoplastic masks continues to be a trending topic. Our top two blog posts get you started with painted mask decorations and share a personal mask decoration story. On the other hand, there was a great interest in innovative radiation therapy treatment. The third most-read blog post discusses Orfit’s immobilization devices for proton therapy.
Read more
Perforations and Cut-Outs in Orfit Thermoplastic Masks
Orfit thermoplastic masks are available in a range of perforations and cut-outs. The choice for a perforation type usually depends on the treatment, the patient and the personal preference of the radiation therapist. There are a number of possible applications for each type of perforation or cut-out and in some instances, a certain perforation will be the preferred choice for treatment. However, there are no fixed rules concerning this matter.
Read more
Water Bath vs. Dry-Heat Convection Oven
9 Common Questions About Heating Devices for Thermoplastic Masks
In this blog post, we give you an overview of common questions that may arise when choosing a heating device for thermoplastic masks.
Read more
I chose a career in oncology in order to help people in their time of need
Radiation Therapist in the Spotlight: Brittany Pyper MRTT
I chose a career in oncology in order to help people in their time of need. Our patients are some of the strongest and most influential people I have had the opportunity to meet. A testimonial by our radiation Therapist in the Spotlight: Brittany Pyper MRTT.
Read more
A video tutorial for the decoration of a paediatric Nanor mask for Proton Therapy
For immobilization in Radiation Therapy
After interviewing staff who decorate masks in radiation oncology departments all over the world, we could conclude that going that extra mile for a young patient makes all the difference. To help anyone who is intrigued by all the creatively decorated masks out there, but does not know how or where to start, we created this tutorial series. 
Read more
Orfit Open Face mask compared to a metal frame-base for stereotactic radiosurgery.
West Michigan Cancer Center prefers the Orfit open face mask over the frame-based solution they have been using for years for stereotactic radiosurgery.
West Michigan Cancer Center prefers the Orfit open face mask over the frame-based solution they have been using for years for stereotactic radiosurgery.
Read more
Proton compatible immobilization devices
Did you know that Orfit has a full range of proton compatible immobilization devices, also for paediatrics?
HP PRO Solution is the ideal solution for treating brain, head & neck and spinal tumours with proton therapy. The base plate with its narrow head and neck section allows the gantry to come close to the patient and minimize the air gap. A patient is immobilized with…
Read more
The Value in Decoration of Pediatric Immobilization Masks
A radiation oncology nurse on radiotherapy mask decoration
Mask decoration in pediatric cancer treatment has become a staple for Ingrid Degroodt. Ingrid is a nurse working in the Radiation Oncology Department of the University Hospital in Leuven, Belgium. She talks about how she got started with the decoration of pediatric immobilization masks and how it can make a…
Read more
A step by step tutorial for paediatric mask decoration
For immobilization in Radiation Therapy
After interviewing staff who decorate masks in radiation oncology departments all over the world, we could conclude that going that extra mile for a young patient makes all the difference. To help anyone who is intrigued by all the creatively decorated masks out there, but does not know how or where to start, we created this tutorial series. 
Read more
Cardiac-sparing for left-sided breast cancer using an Orfit thermoplastic breast mask
Using an Orfit thermoplastic breast mask for left-sided breast patients that are ineligible for breath-hold techniques during radiation therapy treatment.
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. The standard treatment includes mastectomy or breast conservation surgery followed by adjuvant breast radiation therapy. Adjuvant breast cancer radiotherapy reduces the risk of cancer recurrence and death but usually involves some radiation of the heart, especially for left-sided breast…
Read more
Orfit Open Face Hybrid Masks are compatible with Vision RT
After a thorough evaluation, Vison RT confirmed that the Orfit 3-points Open Face Hybrid Masks are compatible with Vision RT products.
Read more
An analysis of patient comfort during head and neck radiotherapy.
Physical comfort, mental perception and passivity
Goldsworthy et al explored patient experiences of comfort during radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. The study was published in the journal of Radiotherapy in Practice. In the following blogpost we give an overview of a few options to enhance the patients comfort, following the three aspects of this study.
Read more
Orfit Radiation Therapy Trainings and Workshops
To assure that both distributors and end users understand the advantages and functionalities of our products, Orfit frequently organizes trainings and workshops. These events take place at the Orfit headquarters in Belgium or on site, which could be anywhere in the world. Extensive training In 2016 several distributors from all…
Read more
MR safe label obtained for several Orfit products
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is becoming increasingly important in radiation oncology. (earlier post: The increasing need and interest in MRI in radiation therapy). To be MR safe, patient positioning and immobilization devices cannot contain materials that are electrically conductive or magnetic. Orfit recently obtained the MR safe…
Read more
Sagittilt: Orfit’s highly reproducible, patient friendly and heart-sparing prone breast solution
Breast cancer radiotherapy might involve some radiation exposure of the normal tissues within the thorax, including the heart and lungs. This is associated with secondary lung cancer and mortality and morbidity rates for women with left-sided breast cancer due to ischemic heart disease [1]. Darby et al demonstrated that for…
Read more
Moulding a radiotherapy mask: 11 things that often go wrong but can easily be avoided
Moulding a radiotherapy mask has become a routine task for most technicians. However, problems may pop up either during the moulding process or while refitting the mask for the first treatment session. Orfit has listed several tips to avoid these issues and to assure high precision, reproducibility and patient comfort.
Read more
The increasing need and interest in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in radiation therapy
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is gaining interest in radiation therapy (RT) with the emerging development of advanced high precision treatment techniques such as intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) and volumetric intensity modulated arc therapy (VMAT). These techniques require accurate anatomical imaging to avoid irradiation of surrounding healthy tissue. MRI has a superior…
Read more
Orfit HP 5-points mask and the Orfit SBRT compression belt investigated in 2 posters at ESTRO 2016
Two posters in which Orfit products have been investigated were presented at ESTRO 2016. The first poster (EP-1785) by Damodara Kumaran compared setup errors and comfort levels of an Orfit High Precision 5-points thermoplastic mask and a BrainLAB immobilization system. Overall, the Orfit HP 5 points mask and…
Read more
Going Frameless: a more comfortable and non-invasive approach for stereotactic radiosurgery
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) treatments in many cases involve a metal cranial frame that is attached to the patient’s skull. A custom moulded immobilization mask has several advantages over an invasive system, for both patient comfort and the treatment itself. A frameless SRS approach is non-invasive and adds to the patient’s…
Read more
Expanding global access to radiotherapy has both lifesaving and economic benefits
Over the past years, radiotherapy has become increasingly important and critical in cancer treatment and care. For many of the most common cancers in low-income and middle-income countries, radiotherapy is essential for effective treatment. In high-income countries, radiotherapy is already used in more than half of all cases of cancer. However,…
Read more
Orfit Thermoplastic Immobilization Masks used on Elekta Leksel Gamma Knife Icon
© Elekta – Careforthebrain.com Orfit Industries is proud to announce that our innovative thermoplastic immobilization masks are used on the Elekta Leksel Gamma Knife Icon. Elekta is a company with a long standing reputation in cancer treatment and it has selected Orfit Industries to develop an…
Read more
Orfit Hybrid Masks in SRS-treatments shown to be equally precise and less stressful than an invasive immobilization frame
An article about the use of Orfit Hybrid masks in Stereotactic RadioSurgery (SRS)-treatments was published by Jessa Hospital in Hasselt, Belgium. In their Medical Newsletter ‘JessaLinea’ is explained how Stereotactic Masks replace a previously used invasive Stereotactic Frame for SRS-treatments. The article was in Dutch, but we have made a…
Read more
Abdominal compression mechanism developed with Orfit products by National Center of Oncology in Azerbaijan
One of Orfit Industries worldwide customers is the National Center of Oncology in Baku, Azerbaijan. They use a wide range of Orfit Immobilization devices during radiation therapy treatments. The NCO team has developed an abdominal compression mechanism by combining various Orfit products. They position their…
Read more
10 Tips to Position and Immobilize Patients with Anxieties
Help patients with claustrophobia through radiation therapy
When positioning and immobilizing a patient for radiation therapy treatment, anxieties like claustrophobia can occur when the immobilization is performed with a thermoplastic mask. We explain how to immobilize patients with anxieties and list a few measures you can take to make your patient feel as comfortable as possible.
Read more
Thesis: Prone versus supine treatment position when irradiating the left breast (R. de Vries, J. Karst)
In a graduation thesis of the education “Medical Imaging and Radiotherapeutic Techniques” (MBRT), conducted for the Medisch Spectrum Hospital in Twente, R. de Vries and J. Karst compared the prone and the supine treatment position when irradiating women with breast cancer. For the prone position, the Sagittilt Prone…
Read more
Orfit’s SBRT solution extensively tested by Jolimont Hospital in Belgium – The results
The Orfit SBRT-solution has been extensively tested by the Jolimont Hospital in La Louvière, Belgium. Their radiotherapy department was looking for an SBRT-system and decided to do a clinical verification of the Orfit SBRT Solution. We are happy to be able to share their experiences. They…
Read more
Unordinary applications of thermoplastic materials
Orfit Thermoplastic materials used in unusual, creative ways to improve patient comfort Felix de Beer, moulding technician at the Catharina Hospital in Eindhoven (the Netherlands), uses Orfit thermoplastic materials in rather unusual ways. One of the patients, René, has now expressed his wish to share a moulding technique that has…
Read more
Interfractional variability in intensity-modulated radiotherapy stabilized with thermoplastic pelvic immobilization
Study: Lee et al, Interfractional variability in intensity-modulated radiotherapy of prostate cancer with or without thermoplastic pelvic immobilization, Strahlentherapie und Onkologie, 2014,190:94-99 Prostate cancer is a major health problem worldwide. Radiotherapy is one of two major curative treatment methods for prostate cancer (Lee et al, 2014). The use…
Read more
Quality of patient positioning during cerebral tomotherapy irradiation using different mask systems
Study: Leitzen et al, Quality of patient positioning during cerebral tomotherapy irradiation using different mask systems, Strahlentherapie und Onkologie, 2013, 1-4 Patient immobilization during brain tumor radiotherapy is achieved by using a thermoplastic mask. In a study conducted by the Universitätsklinik Bonn, two innovative new mask systems…
Read more
Study: hypofractionated whole breast irradiation for patients with large breasts: comparing prone and supine positions
The university hospital in Gent, Belgium has compared the acute toxicity of whole breast irradiation in both the supine and the prone position (Mulliez T et al. Hypofractionated whole breast irradiation for patients with large breasts: a randomized trial comparing prone and supine positions. Radiother Oncol (2013)). The…
Read more
World Leading Cancer Center Studies Orfit Open Face Mask
A superior alternative to a full mask.
The Orfit open face mask can be used as a superior alternative to a full mask without sacrificing the precision of the immobilization while increasing patient comfort and the patient’s ability to tolerate the treatment.
Read more