Intensity-modulated radiation therapy is an advanced mode of high-precision radiotherapy that utilizes computer-controlled x-ray accelerators to deliver precise radiation doses to a malignant tumor or specific areas within the tumor.

The radiation dose is designed to conform to the three-dimensional shape of the tumor by modulating – or controlling the intensity of the radiation beam to focus a higher radiation dose to the tumor while minimizing radiation exposure of surrounding normal tissues.

Treatment is carefully planned by the dosimetrist with the aid of the physician using 3-D CT images of the patient. This 3-D reconstruction in conjunction with computerized dose calculations determines the dose intensity pattern that will best conform to the tumor. This ability to maximize dose to the tumor while minimizing dose to the normal tissue allows us to deliver higher more precise and more effective radiation doses to tumors with fewer after effects as compared to conventional 3-D conformal radiation therapy.

If Your Doctor Recommends IMRT

¢ Ask your health care team about possible after effects and about what you can do to prevent or reduce them.

¢ Always take your treatments as prescribed by your doctor.

¢ Ask questions about your treatment. Discuss changes before they are made.

¢ Avoid people who have colds or infections.