Lung Cancer Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
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Video: Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
Learn how Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) more precisely shapes radiation beams to the size and contour of a tumor. This helps avoid healthy tissue and treat difficult-to-reach lung cancer tumors.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer
Cancer Treatment Centers of America offers intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) as another treatment option for lung cancer.
Intensity modulated radiation therapy employs a powerful, advanced computer program that plans a precise dose of radiation in three dimensions, based on individual tumor size, shape and location. Three-dimensional planning allows your radiation oncologist to simultaneously treat multiple tumors with different doses of radiation, while sparing healthy tissue in the lung and elsewhere.
IMRT directs radiation at the tumor and varies the intensity of the radiation beam with dramatic conformance and accuracy. This means we can deliver higher radiation doses than traditional radiation therapy methods, while minimizing exposure to healthy tissues.
RapidArc® Shortens Treatment Times
RapidArc® is an advanced technology we use to deliver IMRT with speed and precision.
RapidArc radiation therapy shortens treatment times to one-half up to one-eighth that of standard radiation therapy. In a single 360-degree rotation, a linear accelerator revolves around the patient, delivering a sculpted, tightly-focused beam of radiation directly to a tumor in less than two minutes.
This results in better tumor targeting and less damage to surrounding healthy tissue. It also reduces the amount of time a patient spends in radiation treatment, which is usually administered five days a week for several weeks.
Respiratory Gating Minimizes Side Effects
We also use respiratory gating to accurately target tumors by adjusting for tumor motion during IMRT.
Tumors, such as those near the lungs, often move as a result of breathing and other involuntary movement in the body. Respiratory gating enables us to “paint” optimal doses of radiation onto tumors with greater accuracy. The system tracks tumor motion as a result of breathing, helping us to target the tumor and protect healthy tissue from receiving unnecessary radiation during intensity modulated radiation therapy.
Next Topic: Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for Lung Cancer
