Bone Cancer Treatments – Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

IMRT for Bone Cancer

Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) offers many leading-edge radiation treatment methods for bone cancer. Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, or IMRT, is a three-dimensional radiation delivery system that has been called one of the most significant radiotherapy breakthroughs of the past 30 years. IMRT can treat difficult-to-reach bone cancer tumors with unprecedented levels of accuracy.

IMRT uses a powerful, advanced computer program to plan a precise dose of radiation in three dimensions, based on individual tumor’s size, shape and location. Then, IMRT directs radiation directly at the tumor site and, with laser accuracy, modulates the intensity of pencil-thin beams of radiation.

Due to the accuracy and precision of IMRT, CTCA cancer experts are able to administer higher radiation doses to hard-to-reach areas than allowed in conventional radiotherapy. At the same time, this technique also helps spare more of the surrounding healthy tissue compared to standard radiation therapy. For example, IMRT may be used to treat a tumor surrounding your spinal cord with very little radiation reaching the cord itself.

You may be considered a candidate for IMRT if you have previously undergone conventional radiation therapy (e.g., if you have previously had conventional radiation therapy for bone cancer and are experiencing recurrent tumors in the treated area).

IMRT may be used in place of external beam treatment for some bone cancer patients. In most cases, IMRT is used in conjunction with, or following, another primary bone cancer treatment (e.g., surgery).

At CTCA, your radiation oncologist and other members of your care team will work closely with you to evaluate your situation to determine if IMRT is a viable bone cancer treatment option for you.

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