IGRT (Image-Guided Radiation Therapy) is the next advancement in radiation treatment technology that allows radiation to be delivered to tumors with greater precision than was previously thought possible. Treatment challenges are routinely encountered when the precise delivery of the radiation dose to the tumor is expected by the physician and patient. The tumor can move based on the patient’s day to day position variations on the treatment table, as well as movement of the tumor secondary to normal patient breathing. To solve the problem of possible daily variations in tumor location, IGRT offers various advanced or historically used imaging technologies to provide daily tumor localizations before the treatment is delivered.
One of the advanced solutions is called on-board imaging (OBI). This OBI technology is installed onto a typical Linear Accelerator, which is the most common machine used in radiation treatment. It utilizes kilovoltage (KV) quality imaging much like a CT scan image is acquired allowing the radiation oncologist to visualize the patient’s tumor location before each radiation treatment. This additional yet critical step prior to treatment allows the radiation dose to be delivered to the tumor based on its location in the body at the precise moment of treatment resulting in daily accuracy. The daily generated OBI images are not only used to locate the precise position of the tumor, but also the position of normal tissues to be avoided close to the tumor, such as intestine, spinal cord, nerves, and other critical structures. Overall, IGRT allows the precise delivery of radiation to tumors using real-time accuracy while sparing normal tissues so that they receive only minimal radiation. IGRT can also be integrated with respiratory motion technology (RPM) that can track the exact position of the tumor and deliver accurately placed treatments while a patient is breathing. Since healthy tissues are further spared from unnecessary radiation with IGRT, the radiation oncologist can now safely increase the radiation dose to tumors while minimizing side effects. Safely escalating the dose to the tumor over the course of the patient’s treatment has been shown to improve clinical outcomes and cure rates. Even with other treatment advances on the horizon, IGRT is currently unparalleled in increased tumor dose control and cure.
For more information, please call our office at 661-288-5965. Providence Holy Cross Cancer Center, 26357 Mc Bean Parkway Suite 150 in Valencia.