New radiation treatment targeting brain tumours with better accuracy

People diagnosed with brain tumours now have a better chance of survival because of new radiation therapy technology available in Queensland, doctors say.

The Varian HyperArc blasts brain tumours with radiation with better accuracy.

Single mother-of-two Philippa Douglas has been diagnosed with eight tumours and is the first Australian to try the revolutionary new treatment, now available on the Gold Coast.

The treatment lasts only a few minutes, there's little recovery time and less side effects.

“I've got off the bed... and had no symptoms whatsoever, not even a headache,” Ms Douglas told 9NEWS.  

Doctor Jim Jackson, a radiation oncologist at Southport’s Radiation Oncology Centre, said unlike other machines, the new technology has pinpoint accuracy.

“We find that patients aren't losing their hair, aren't having depressed mental functions in the short term and having better long term outcomes, both with less side effects and also better tumour outcomes,” he said.

There are options for both private and public patients.

Together the machine and the technology is worth more than $3 million and it's already in demand.

The treatment is now also available in Brisbane.

Doctors expect more than 100 people from around the country to fly to Queensland for treatment each year.

The technology will be rolled out across the country in the coming years.