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| Radiation Therapy IMRT Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy |
| Why is radiation used to treat cancer? Radiation is used to treat cancer because it can interact with the DNA material inside the cell in a way that causes death of the cell. Different types of radiation can be effective against cancer. |
| How is radiation created? Siemens method of radiation delivery uses what is called a linear accelerator structure. It creates radiation by using ordinary voltage to give the necessary energy to electrons or photons to produce a beam of radiation. Think of it as operating like a flashlight. When the switch is turned off there is no light. When the switch is turned on, light is created and you can direct the beam where light is needed. One advantage of this method over using radioactive material is that no radiation exists when the power is turned off. |
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| How is radiation used to treat cancer? The radiation beam created by the treatment machine is accurately pointed to the cancer cells. The cell DNA is damaged and the tumor cells die. What happens to the normal cells around the tumor? Two things can happen. First, the radiation beam can be accurately controlled so that minimal normal tissue is radiated. Second, the normal cells that are in the treatment beam have a better chance of surviving the radiation than cancer cells because they have normal damage repair capability intact. Cancer cells are abnormal cells so they also have abnormal repairability. This is the reason that most radiation treatments are given over multiple days. Each day enough radiation is given to do unrepairable damage to cancer cells while the normal cells can repair themselves between treatments. |
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| What are some diseases treated using IMRT? Prostate cancer is a disease that may be treated using IMRT. The prostate is situated near some organs sensitive to radiation. IMRT can reduce the amount of radiation received by the rectum and other nearby organs. By reducing the dose to nearby tissue, the tumor can be given higher doses of radiation, which in turn makes it more likely that the treatment is effective. Another area treated with IMRT is head and neck cancer. The treatment can be planned to give a lower dose to the salivary glands than with conventional treatment. The result is that the salivary glands are "spared" from the effects of radiation and you have a higher chance of retaining salivary function. Lung cancer is another disease treated using IMRT for similar reasons. Our knowledge of how to use this new method of treatment is growing, and new treatments are being developed. Ask your Oncology doctor about Radiation Therapy and IMRT. |
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| Where to get IMRT treatments Not all Radiation Therapy departments have the capability to give IMRT treatments. IMRT is still a fairly new technology. The facility should have a modern 3-D computer planning system that will optimize the way the radiation is delivered. The linear accelerator machine must also be equipped for IMRT. If you may be a candidate for IMRT treatment, seek a referral to a clinic that has experience with modern IMRT. |