Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), allows precise dose delivery into cancerous tumors and also restricts dose to normal surrounding tissue. MRI, CT and PET images are fused through computer-guided image registration. These images allow physicians and other medical professionals to see lesions clearly and identify precisely where to target.
Path and position of radiation beams are then optimized so that the radiation dose accurately conforms to the shape of the lesion. If used improperly, the beams can miss the intended target, resulting in an inadequate dosage to the tumor and an overdose to normal tissueeffecting potential cure rates. To ensure accuracy, all IMRT treatments are delivered under the direction and supervision of a radiation oncologist with assistance from a medical physicist.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy involves dozens of tiny micro-beams of different radiation intensities directed at the tumor. The IMRT system allows the clinical team to combat tumors specifically and intelligently more than ever before. The effect is far less traumatic to patients, with minimal damage to the body's healthy tissue.
Since the intensity of each beamlet can be controlled, it is possible to create a radiation dose that wraps around normal tissue, even making dipped shapes or turning corners. This requires a level of control and precision impossible with other radiation techniques. It does not completely eliminate the radiation dose to the surrounding tissue, but substantially reduces it.
IMRT also allows for higher radiation doses which often mean improving the probability of eradicating the tumor. IMRT has been used for a variety of cancer treatments such as prostate cancer, gynecological, colon, pancreatic and lung cancers, head/neck and brain tumors.
The ECU Physicians Radiation Oncology unit and staff are specifically trained in IMRT to provide and ensure optimal treatment delivery.
