Image-guided radiation therapy
Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) is a type of radiation therapy that uses imaging techniques during each treatment session to direct radiation therapy accurately to the area where it is needed.
Overview[edit | edit source]
IGRT is used to treat tumors in areas of the body that move, such as the lungs. Radiation therapy machines are equipped with imaging technology to allow your doctor to image the tumor before and during treatment. By comparing these images to the reference images taken during simulation, the patient's position and/or the radiation beams may be adjusted to more precisely target the radiation dose to the tumor. To help manage your cancer, IGRT is used in conjunction with other types of radiation therapy.
Procedure[edit | edit source]
Before starting the IGRT, the patient undergoes a CT scan in the treatment position. The images from the CT scan are then used to create a personalized treatment plan. During each treatment session, the patient is positioned on the treatment table using lasers and skin marks as guides. The treatment team leaves the room and goes to the control room where they can still see and hear the patient. The machine then takes images of the treatment area and compares them to the images from the treatment plan. The treatment team may adjust the patient's position and the machine's position based on these images. The radiation therapy is then delivered.
Benefits[edit | edit source]
IGRT allows doctors to maximize the dose of radiation to cancer cells while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue. This can help to reduce side effects and improve the effectiveness of treatment.
Risks[edit | edit source]
As with any form of radiation therapy, there are risks associated with IGRT. These can include skin irritation, fatigue, and other side effects depending on the area being treated. Your doctor will discuss these risks with you before starting treatment.
See Also[edit | edit source]
| Image-guided radiation therapy Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
