IMRT

IMRT or Intensity-modulated radiation therapy is an advanced type of radiation therapy used to treat cancer and noncancerous tumors. IMRT uses advanced technology to manipulate photon and proton beams of radiation to conform to the shape of a tumor.

Overview

IMRT is a type of external beam radiation therapy that uses linear accelerators to safely and painlessly deliver precise radiation doses to a tumor while minimizing the dose to surrounding normal tissue. The radiation dose is designed to conform to the 3-D shape of the tumor by modulating—or controlling—the intensity of the radiation beam in multiple small volumes.

Procedure

IMRT involves varying (or modulating) the intensity of the radiation (in many small volumes across the treatment area), which makes it possible to deliver higher radiation doses than traditional radiation therapy methods. The radiation dose intensity is controlled by the linear accelerator, which can move around the patient to deliver radiation from several angles. In addition, a device called a multileaf collimator (MLC) can be used to shape the radiation beam.

Benefits

IMRT has several benefits over traditional radiation therapy methods. It allows for the delivery of precise radiation doses to a malignant tumor or specific areas within the tumor, reduces the dose of radiation to normal tissue, and can potentially reduce side effects and improve the quality of life for patients.

Risks

Like all radiation therapy treatments, IMRT has potential risks and side effects. These can include fatigue, skin reactions, and other side effects depending on the part of the body being treated.

See Also

• Radiation therapy
• Cancer treatment
• Linear accelerator
• Multileaf collimator

IMRT Resources
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