Subang Jaya Medical Centre Unveils Malaysia's First Sub-Millimetric Precision Image-Guided System, Revolutionising Cranial and Cancer Treatment 

Official launch of ExacTrac Dynamic, a breakthrough technology that expands treatment options while improving patient comfort and safety

Rachel Woo, Chief Operating Officer of SJMC (left) and Michael Ruemelin, Director Sales Radiation Oncology Asia and Pacific, Brainlab Australia Pty. Ltd. (right) officially launching ExacTrac Dynamic. 

Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) today unveils Malaysia’s first ExacTrac Dynamic system, an advanced image-guided radiotherapy and radiosurgery technology that delivers sub-millimetric precision. This milestone underscores SJMC’s commitment to bringing world-class innovations to the country, offering patients safer, faster and more accurate cranial and cancer treatment options that reflect the highest international standards.

Integrated with TrueBeam, the hospital’s state-of-the-art Linear Accelerator (LINAC), the system combines surface guidance, thermal imaging, and X-ray monitoring to track patient position and movement, even detecting breathing motion. This enables the LINAC to target smaller tumours more accurately, expand the range of treatable tumour types, and deliver both non-invasive Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), a highly targeted form of radiotherapy for brain conditions, and Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT), a similar approach used for cancers in other parts of the body.

Rachel Woo, Chief Operating Officer of SJMC, said, “The launch of ExacTrac Dynamic marks another important milestone for SJMC in advancing precision medicine. Every innovation we introduce is made with our patients’ well-being in mind. As we celebrate our 40th anniversary this year, we remain steadfast as a trusted one-stop cancer centre and regional referral hub for complex cases, combining medical excellence with compassionate, person-centred care.”

Michael Ruemelin, Director Sales Radiation Oncology Asia and Pacific, Brainlab Australia Pty. Ltd., said: “The introduction of ExacTrac Dynamic expands access to highly precise and effective cranial and extracranial cancer treatments in Malaysia. Our long-standing collaboration with SJMC reflects a shared vision to bring the latest medical technologies to the region, enhance treatment capabilities, and broaden access to advanced care.”

From Brain to Body - Expanded Treatment Options

ExacTrac Dynamic extends the scope beyond cranial procedures, enabling the treatment of cancers in the brain, spine, lung, breast, prostate, liver, and more. It also facilitates treatment of certain non-cancer procedures, such as abnormal tangles of blood vessels in the brain (known as arteriovenous malformations or AVMs). The technology has been widely adopted in Europe, the US and other regions, where it has demonstrated improved scan efficiency, enhanced patient tracking, shorter treatment times and greater comfort.

At the launch, SJMC specialists and international experts who have worked with the technology in clinical settings shared their perspectives on its impact in patient care and treatment planning. Dr Winnie Ng, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at SJMC, said the technology has changed the way the hospital approaches complex cases. “This level of accuracy allows us to treat tumours in delicate areas or those that are hard to reach. We can also offer treatment to patients who might not have been suitable for stereotactic radiosurgery in the past. For many, this means fewer treatment sessions, faster recovery, reduced hospital visits and less disruption to their daily lives.”

Dr Yoshiko Oshiro, Chief of Radiation Oncology at Tsukuba Medical Centre, Japan, noted that the enhanced prepositioning technology has enabled up to 50 patient set-ups a day, streamlining preparation and allowing more patients to be treated without compromising accuracy. Prof. Dr Thierry Gevaert, Head of Medical Physics at Free University of Brussels (UZ Brussel), Belgium, added that beyond its established role in brain radiosurgery, it is especially valuable for tumours affected by breathing or other movement, as real-time monitoring allows instant adjustments to maintain precision.

(L-R) Catherine Lee, Director of Cancer & Radiosurgery and Imaging Services at SJMC; Dr Yoshiko Oshiro, Chief of Radiation Oncology at Tsukuba Medical Centre, Japan; Prof. Dr Thierry Gevaert, Head of Medical Physics at Free University of Brussels (UZ Brussel), Belgium and Dr Winnie Ng, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at SJMC. 

A Better Experience for Patients

For patients, the benefits go beyond precision. The system uses an open-face mask design, allowing patients to breathe comfortably and maintain some visibility during treatment, while tattoo-free positioning replaces permanent skin marks with advanced imaging, reducing discomfort and anxiety during set-up, giving patients greater peace of mind. Treatments are generally shorter, and in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), higher doses can be delivered in just one to five sessions compared with several weeks for conventional radiotherapy.

Catherine Lee, Director of Cancer & Radiosurgery and Imaging Services at SJMC, said the patient experience was a priority in adopting the system. “It is not only about delivering precise treatment, but also about making the process less daunting. Features like the open mask, quick set-up, and short treatment time help patients feel more at ease while we maintain the highest safety standards.”

Firsthand Demonstration at SJMC

At the launch event, attendees experienced the system’s capabilities through a augmented reality simulation and a close-up look at its thermal camera, dynamic X-ray functions, and patient mask evolution — from rigid designs to the more comfortable open-face version. The hands-on session showcased how advanced image-guided radiotherapy improves both accuracy and patient comfort.

As an award-winning 442-bed multidisciplinary tertiary hospital, SJMC has been ranked among the top three hospitals in Malaysia by Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals. It is also the first hospital in Southeast Asia to have multiple services, including Oncology, recognised as Centres of Excellence by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards International (ACHSI).

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