Despite its name, SRS is a non-surgical procedure that delivers precisely-targeted radiation at much higher doses, in only a single or few treatments, as compared to traditional radiation therapy. Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is a highly precise form of radiation therapy initially developed to treat small brain tumors and functional abnormalities of the brain. With IGRT, radiation oncologists no longer need to treat a relatively large margin of healthy tissue around the tumor, but can minimize the amount of healthy tissue exposed to the treatment beam. 3D cone beam CT images give clinicians a clear view of the tumor site and surrounding bones, organs and soft tissue. The high-quality images of the tumor or treatment area obtained at the time of treatment allow clinicians to quickly reposition the patient as needed on the table. IGRT also enables doctors to make real-time adaptations to the treatment plan. With these more defined targets, patients can receive higher, more precise doses of radiation for better control of cancer and minimal effect to surrounding, normal tissues. With IGRT, more frequent imaging just prior to daily treatment enables physicians to pinpoint the position of the tumor and the surrounding normal tissues just as they are at time of treatment. Prior to IGRT, physicians were unable to know the daily position of the tumor or tissues.
IGRT brings scanning and radiation equipment together to permit the doctor to see the area of the body almost simultaneously while treating. IGRT, or image guided radiation therapy, is a form of radiotherapy using X-ray imaging during treatments to locate and focus dosing beams more precisely on tumors. The metal leaves and manipulability of the beam prevent radiation from getting to nearby healthy tissue.Īlthough IMRT is primarily used to treat tumors in the brain, head and neck, nasopharynx, breast, liver, lung, prostate and uterus, this new technology is not always appropriate or necessary for every patient and/or type of cancer. The beam is actually composed of thousands of tiny beamlets. Instead of radiation coming out of the machine via a single beam, IMRT uses as many as 80-120 sliding metal leaves to shape the beam to fit the specific shape of the tumor or treatment site.
Treatment is planned using 3D computed tomography (CT) images of the patient in conjunction with computerized dose calculations to determine the dose intensity pattern that will best conform to the tumor shape.
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IMRT planning is done using sophisticated computer software that shapes the radiation dose to what the radiation oncologist specifies. Carefully planned and precisely manipulated beams conform as closely as possible to the shape of the tumor.
The machine producing radiation can be rotated around the patient so that beams can be delivered from the best angles. The radiation is delivered by a linear accelerator equipped with a multileaf collimator which helps to shape or sculpt the beams of radiation. Some patients also experience fewer side effects during IMRT than more conventional treatment. IMRT allows patients to receive more concentrated radiation each day, potentially shortening the overall treatment time and improving treatment success. IMRT is an advanced, precise form of radiation therapy that delivers higher doses of radiation to the tumor and lower doses to nearby healthy tissue.
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