One of the key benefits of IMRT is its ability to target tumors located near critical organs or structures with heightened precision. By minimizing radiation exposure to healthy tissues, IMRT significantly reduces the risk of side effects and complications commonly associated with traditional radiation therapy. This precision is especially crucial in treating tumors situated in sensitive areas such as the brain, spinal cord, prostate, and head and neck regions.
The process of implementing IMRT begins with a comprehensive treatment planning phase, where medical physicists and radiation oncologists collaborate to design a personalized treatment strategy for each patient. Advanced imaging techniques, such as CT scans and MRI, are utilized to precisely delineate the tumor and surrounding anatomy. Using specialized computer software, the treatment team then generates a three-dimensional model of the patient’s anatomy, allowing them to optimize the radiation dose distribution.
During treatment delivery, IMRT employs sophisticated linear accelerators equipped with multileaf collimators (MLCs) to dynamically adjust the shape and intensity of radiation beams in real time. This dynamic modulation ensures that the prescribed radiation dose conforms precisely to the shape of the tumor while minimizing exposure to nearby healthy tissues. Treatment sessions are typically painless and non-invasive, lasting only a few minutes, although the total duration of treatment may vary depending on the type and stage of cancer.