Extrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer Treatments – IMRT
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IMRT for Extrahepatic Bile Duct Cancer
Another leading-edge radiation delivery system offered by Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) is Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, or IMRT. IMRT has been called one of the most significant breakthroughs in radiotherapy in the past three decades.
IMRT can treat difficult-to-reach tumors, such as those in the liver, with unprecedented levels of accuracy. With IMRT, CTCA cancer experts can use higher radiation doses than standard radiation therapy would allow in these areas, while helping to spare more of the surrounding healthy tissue.
IMRT differs from conventional radiation therapy in the following ways:
- IMRT uses a powerful, advanced computer program to plan a precise dose of radiation in three dimensions, based on individual tumor 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.
For some extrahepatic bile duct cancer patients, IMRT may be used instead of external beam radiation treatments. However, in most cases, IMRT is used in conjunction with, or after, another primary treatment. IMRT may be useful if you have previously had conventional radiation therapy for extrahepatic bile duct 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 treatment option for you.
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