Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy - Pancreatic Cancer Treatment

January 7, 2005 (Press Release) -- Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, or IMRT, is a state-of-the-art radiation delivery system offered at Cancer Treatment Centers of America. It has been called the most significant breakthrough in radiation treatments in the past 30 years. IMRT can treat difficult-to-reach tumors with new levels of accuracy such as tumors in the spine, head, neck, prostate, lung, liver, and brain. Our cancer experts are able to use higher radiation doses than traditional methods would allow in these areas, and yet spare more of the surrounding healthy tissue, compared to standard radiation therapy.

For example, a tumor that surrounds your spinal cord can be effectively treated with IMRT, with very little radiation reaching your cord. IMRT may be useful if you previously have had conventional radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer, and are experiencing recurrent tumors in the treated area.

Two ways that IMRT differs from conventional radiation are:

IMRT employs a powerful, advanced computer program to plan a precise dose of radiation in three dimensions, based on individual tumor size, shape and location;
IMRT directs radiation at the tumor and modulates the intensity of pencil-thin beams of radiation with laser accuracy. For some patients, IMRT replaces external beam treatments; however, in most cases, IMRT is used in conjunction with or after another primary treatment.

If you have previously undergone conventional radiation therapy, you may be considered a candidate for IMRT, because its accuracy will allow your physicians to administer more than the maximum allowable dose of conventional radiotherapy, even at multiple sites. CTCA radiation oncologists and other physicians will evaluate you to determine if IMRT may be a viable treatment option for you.

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