Image-Guided Radiation therapy - precise accuracy

The delivery of radio therapy has reached a new level of accuracy with the introduction of a new piece of equipment referred to as Image-Guided Radiation therapy.
"IGRT is probably the biggest advance in the field of radiation therapy in past decade," says Josh Yamada, radiation oncologist, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York.
Using high-tech imaging with extreme precision radiation beams, it targets the tumor, sparing healthy tissue. It can be used to treat many types of cancer, including the spine, lung, prostrate, brain, bladder, esophagus, liver and bone cancers.
Working tollerance has increased performance for the oncology operator, who can now fine-tume the equipment to produce a radiation beam down to two millimetres or less.
Prior to IGRT reatment, CT scans and other x-rays are performed to locate exact positiuon of tumor, including a 360deg. rotation scan to produce a 3D view of tumor. The precise directing of the radiation enables the operator to deliver higher dose of submillimetre radiation without disturbing other healthy tissue.
The versatility of IGRT enables surgeons to shrink a tumor prior to surgery, and also for sympton relief, especially where quality of life treatment is concerned in palliative care. Acknowledge mskcc.org. Geoff.