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Cancer Program Acquires IMRT for Radiation Oncology Patients
Patients who receive care from radiation oncologists at Montgomery Hospital now have access to intensity modulated radiation therapy, or IMRT. This is the newest and most advanced form of 3D conformal radiation therapy. IMRT produces a revolutionary kind of radiation therapy that delivers precise treatment to cancerous tumors.
“The pinpoint accuracy of IMRT has the significant advantage of maximizing the dose of radiation to the cancerous tumor, while sparing surrounding healthy tissue from unnecessary exposure,” says Estella Graeffe, M.D., radiation oncology section director. “The technology also helps reduce the potential side-effects of radiation therapy.”
Because of the system’s ability to create a clinically optimized treatment plan that specifically targets only the diseased area, IMRT can be delivered to tumors wrapped around the spine, as well as in such delicate locations as the brain, thyroid and reproductive organs. While IMRT has been used for the successful treatment of many types of cancer, the technology has been especially helpful for patients with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in men, other than skin cancer. Experts have also noted the benefits of IMRT treatment for brain tumors and cancers of the mouth and throat.
Unlike conventional radiation therapy, which consists of a single, large uniform beam of radiation, IMRT uses thousands of pencil-thin beams. These “beamlets” conform to the size, shape and location of the tumor. Additionally, IMRT allows the intensity (and subsequently the dose deposited) of the radiation beam to be varied across a given field or area of treatment. IMRT can also treat multiple tumors simultaneously, potentially reducing the number of required sessions.
IMRT gives radiation oncologists at MHMC access to the best technology available to treat patients. Acquisition of the new PEACOCK® IMRT system from NOMOS was made possible by a $10 million campaign to raise funds for projects specific to new technology and infrastructure upgrades. With strong support from several financial contributors as well as the general public, Montgomery Healthcare System was able to accelerate bringing IMRT technology to the Cancer Center.
The Cancer Program at MHMC is accredited by the American College of Surgeons and affiliated with the Thomas Jefferson Cancer Network. The Cancer Center offers comprehensive medical, surgical and radiation oncology services and access to the latest clinical trials. For more information, call 610-270-2192.
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