Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
IMRT is a form of external beam therapy in which a computerized system actually shapes the intensity of the radiation to the specific size and shape of almost any tumor using 3-dimensional imagery and computerized treatment planning. With IMRT, doctors can accurately deliver enough radiation to kill a tumor while sparing healthy surrounding tissue. Physicians have seen excellent results on previously unapproachable tumors - including those wrapped around healthy organs, using IMRT.

Pre-treatment
For many patients, preparation for treatment requires special planning x-ray sessions done on a machine called a simulator. The simulator pinpoints the exact location of the tumor and surrounding areas. Your skin may be marked with semi-permanent ink to help the therapist line things up uniformly throughout your treatment.

From the information gathered by the simulator, a physicist will use a planning computer to produce a treatment plan that best localizes the treatment to the area and minimizes the dose to normal structures.

Treatment
During a treatment session, the equipment, called a linear accelerator, rotates around you to deliver beams of intense radiation to the tumor as you lie flat. This is different from regular EBT (External Beam Therapy) in that the dose of radiation is higher and more concentrated directly on the tumor. Each treatment takes less than 30 minutes and is completely painless. Duration of treatment may vary from one week to six weeks.