When Oklahoma Cancer Specialists and Research Institute (OCSRI) set out to replace aging radiation therapy equipment, they weren’t just updating machines—they were reimagining precision care.
As a high-volume, physician-owned cancer center treating over 34,000 radiation therapy cases annually, OCSRI needed a solution that would support complex stereotactic treatments, minimize disruption, and reduce the burden on patients and staff alike.
That solution was surface guided radiation therapy (SGRT).
OCSRI Tulsa campus with relaxing garden.
Picture compliments of https://ocsri.org/locations/ocsri-tulsa/
From Challenge to Opportunity
The immediate need was clear: several linacs had reached end-of-life. But OCSRI’s leadership team aimed higher than simply upgrading equipment. They set out to:
- Expand stereotactic body radiotherapy (SABR) capabilities
- Improve image guidance and motion management
- Reduce patient reliance on invasive immobilization or fiducials
OCSRI needed a solution that could deliver precision at scale—without compromising workflow or comfort.
Why SGRT—and Why C-RAD?
With C-RAD’s Catalyst+ HD and Sentinel systems, OCSRI implemented a non-invasive, high-precision platform for patient setup and motion monitoring. SGRT quickly moved from “nice to have” to essential.
“In 2023, we saw a seven-fold increase in stereotactic treatment volumes—while maintaining efficiency and safety,” said Liz Hyde, MBA, RTT, ODS, Director of Radiation Oncology Operations at OCSRI.
“SGRT allowed us to move confidently into an even more advanced radiation oncology program,” she continued. “It’s not just about technology—it’s about consistency, comfort, and control.”
The Value SGRT Delivered
SGRT enabled OCSRI to scale complex treatment delivery with fewer complications and greater flexibility:
- Surface-guided patient setup reduced setup time and improved reproducibility
- Respiratory gating enabled more targeted treatment with fewer imaging artifacts
- Real-time motion tracking improved safety throughout the treatment process
SGRT also supported OCSRI’s shift to tattoo- and mark-free treatments, enhancing the patient experience and standardizing workflows across all linacs.
Patient Story: Treating More, Comfortably
Hyde recalled a 79-year-old patient with multiple bone metastases in the pubis and femur. With SGRT and advanced planning, her team was able to treat three lesions with one isocenter, cutting treatment time dramatically.
“We used to need two hours for treatments like this,” she said. “Now? It’s one isocenter, it’s faster, safer, and the patients do so well. That’s what it’s all about.”
She added, “Another patient with nine brain metastases was also treated in one session—something that would’ve been almost impossible without SGRT-supported planning and motion monitoring.”
A Director’s Perspective on Choosing SGRT
“I’m not a physicist. I’m not a physician. But I am the one who ensures that every treatment decision, every equipment purchase, and every staffing model balances what’s best for our patients—and what works for our team,” said Hyde.
“At the time, we were 95% down the road with another system,” she said. “But our team felt more confident with C-RAD’s approach. So, we pivoted—and I’m glad we did.”
Now, SGRT is a non-negotiable part of OCSRI’s daily workflow.
“SGRT enabled us to modernize without compromise—improving our stereotactic capabilities, streamlining setup, and reducing risk,” Hyde noted.
“If the machine has C-RAD, we’re using it—on every patient, every day,” she concluded.
At-a-Glance: OCSRI’s Radiation Therapy Suite
- 6 Linear Accelerators:
- 3 Elekta Versa HD (with 6 DOF couches)
- 1 Elekta Infinity
- 2 Tomotherapy
- SGRT Systems:
- 4 C-RAD platforms (Catalyst+ HD, Sentinel)
- Treatment Planning:
- Monaco, MIM, Radformation, Precision
- Brachytherapy:
- Flexitron with Oncentra Planning
OCSRI Snapshot: Reach & Impact
- Regional Reach:
- Based in Tulsa, with a second location in Bartlesville
- Serves patients from Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas
- Radiation Therapy Volume:
- ~120 patients/day across 5 linacs in Tulsa
- ~20 patients/day in Bartlesville
- 1,800 stereotactic treatments projected in 2023
- Center Profile:
- Physician-owned and freestanding
- Over 400 employees and 40+ providers
- Certified in APEx, Theranostics, and clinical research
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