Siemens Healthineers’ Varian secures CE mark for AI-powered radiation therapy planning tool

GERMANY—Siemens Healthineers’ Varian business unit has received CE mark approval for its AI contouring capabilities for the Eclipse treatment planning system, a major advancement in AI-supported radiation therapy planning in Europe.

The newly approved solution aims to streamline one of the most time-consuming stages of cancer treatment preparation while helping clinicians maintain consistency in treatment planning.

AI integration targets faster, more consistent planning

Integrated directly into the Eclipse clinical workflow, the AI contouring technology automatically outlines more than 200 predefined anatomical structures using CT and MR imaging data.

These include organs at risk, lymph nodes, and diagnosed brain metastases. The system then provides clinicians with a standardized starting point that they can review, refine, and validate before finalizing treatment decisions.

Radiation therapy contouring remains one of the most labour-intensive and variable steps in oncology treatment planning.

Clinicians often spend hours manually defining tumors and surrounding healthy tissues, and variations in interpretation between specialists can affect workflow efficiency and consistency.

Increasing patient volumes and growing case complexity have further intensified the workload for radiation oncology departments worldwide.

According to Siemens Healthineers, the new AI-driven tool reduces repetitive manual work by creating guideline-based contours directly within the existing clinical environment.

The company stated that the technology helps standardize workflows while ensuring physicians retain full control over treatment decisions and patient-specific adjustments.

Ashley Smith, Head of Digital Oncology at Siemens Healthineers, said the goal of AI in cancer care is to support clinicians rather than replace them.

She explained that reducing routine administrative and technical burdens enables healthcare professionals to focus more on individualized patient care and critical clinical judgments.

Rebecca Schuster, Head of Cancer Therapy Imaging at Siemens Healthineers, added that the company continues to integrate AI capabilities across radiotherapy workflows to improve treatment planning and broaden access to precision oncology solutions.

Broader AI expansion across oncology and imaging

The CE mark announcement comes as Siemens Healthineers accelerates its wider AI strategy across oncology and medical imaging.

Earlier this month, the company also received FDA clearance for six new interventional imaging systems powered by its Optiq AI imaging chain, which uses deep-learning algorithms to improve image quality in real time during minimally invasive procedures.

In March, Siemens Healthineers introduced new AI-supported angiography systems designed to assist physicians performing embolization procedures for liver cancer treatment.

Those systems use AI-guided planning, automated motion correction, and enhanced 3D visualization to support precision treatment delivery.

The company will present its newly CE-marked AI contouring solution at the annual congress of the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology in Stockholm.

Siemens Healthineers aims to highlight workflow innovations that enhance efficiency and support more personalized cancer care throughout the patient treatment journey.