Brain Cancer Treatments – Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy
Learn More About Brain Cancer IMRT: Chat with Us | Email Us
IMRT for Brain Cancer
Considered by some to be one of the most significant breakthroughs in radiation treatment in the past 30 years, Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is a state-of-the-art radiation delivery system offered at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA). IMRT can be used treat cancerous tumors located in difficult-to-reach areas of the body, such as the brain.
IMRT differs from conventional radiation therapy for brain cancer in the following ways:
- IMRT uses an advanced computer program to plan a precise dose of radiation in three dimensions, based on the tumor’s size, shape and location
- IMRT directs pencil-thin beams of radiation directly at the tumor site, and modulates the intensity of the radiation with laser accuracy.
Due to the accuracy and precision of IMRT, CTCA cancer experts are able to administer higher radiation doses than traditional methods would allow in these areas. At the same time, IMRT helps to spare more of the surrounding healthy tissue compared to standard radiation therapy.
For some brain cancer patients, IMRT is used instead of external beam radiation treatments. However, in most cases, IMRT is used in conjunction with, or after, another primary brain cancer treatment. IMRT may also be used if you have previously had conventional radiation therapy for brain cancer and are experiencing recurrent tumors in the treated area.
Your radiation oncologist and other members of your CTCA care team will work closely with you to evaluate your situation and determine if IMRT is a viable brain cancer treatment option for you.
Next Topic: TomoTherapy® for Brain Cancer
