IGRT
Image Guided Radiotherapy, this is using what is called a Cone Beam CT which the radiotherapy treatment machine (LINAC) can create while the patient is in the treatment position. This Cone Beam CT can then be used to verify and potentialy shift the patient position to ensure as accurate positioning as possible prior to radiotherapy treatment.
Image-Guided Radiation Therapy uses advanced imaging techniques, such as CT scans or X-rays, to guide the delivery of radiation to a tumor. IGRT is designed to help ensure that the radiation is precisely targeted to the tumor while sparing nearby healthy tissues and organs. The process involves several steps, including creating a 3D image of the tumor and surrounding tissues, developing a treatment verification plan, and adjusting the patient’s position during treatment to ensure the tumor is in the correct location. IGRT is particularly effective for treating tumors near sensitive structures or organs or tumors that move or change shape during treatment, such as lung tumors. The use of IGRT helps to increase the accuracy and effectiveness of radiation therapy while reducing the risk of side effects.
It is considered the standard of care for radiation therapy treatment and offers benefits such as:
- accurate delivery of radiation;
- improved definition, localization and monitoring of tumor position, size and shape before and during treatment;
- the possibility of higher, targeted radiation dosage to improve tumor control;
- decreased radiation exposure to normal tissue surrounding the tumor.
During IGRT, high-quality images are taken before each radiation therapy treatment session to ensure the patient is in the correct position. Radiation Therapists may adjust the patient’s position after reviewing the images to ensure they are in a position very close to the planning scan.
