Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is an advanced form of radiation treatment that allows radiation oncologists to precisely target tumor cells. It is a noninvasive therapy that uses Computed Tomography (CT) and often other imaging techniques to build three dimensional diagnostic images and support treatment planning to deliver tightly-focused radiation beams of varying intensity to cancerous tumors without needles, tubes or catheters. By varying the intensity of these beams, physicians are able to maximize dosage to the tumor and to minimize the amount of radiation distributed to the surrounding healthy tissues. IMRT has been shown to be particularly useful for cancers of the prostate and head and neck region as well as potential benefit for treating breast, pelvis, and any tumor wrapping itself around critical organs or tissues.