Mesothelioma Law

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) represents a breakthrough in progressive radiation treatment for mesothelioma and other types of cancer. Before IMRT is administered, a Computer Tomography (CT scan) is performed so that doctors may see a three dimensional view of a cancerous tumor and plan the best locations to deliver doses of modulated radiation directly to the tumor. In the past, radiation treatment was somewhat effective for shrinking the size of tumors but also affected the healthy tissue around the tumor. With IMRT, doctors are able to administer the radiation with much greater precision, enhancing the radiation’s effects without damaging other tissue.

How IMRT is Used

After careful examination of the size and shape of the tumor, Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy is administered by a computer-controlled machine that delivers precise doses of x-rays in a pattern and intensity determined by a team of radiation specialists. The beams of radiation are directed at the tumor from different directions so that the targeted areas are uniformly treated. Since high doses of radiation are being directed at a specific area, it is of paramount importance that the patient remain perfectly still during treatment. In some cases, a customized mold is created to help the patient maintain their position for the duration of the treatment.

IMRT is administered over a period of days as part of a treatment regimen that can last as long as ten weeks, depending on the size of the tumor, the stage of the cancer, and the patient’s overall fitness to receive the treatment. IMRT sessions seldom last longer than 30 minutes and side effects may occur but largely depend on the tumor’s location and treatment area. In some cases, additional scanning procedures may be implemented including Positron Emission Tomography scans (PET scans) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI scans).

The areas most commonly treated with IMRT are:

• Tongue
• Sinus
• Larynx
• Liver
• Pancreas
• Kidney
• Breast
• Lung
• Spine
• Prostate

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Treatment is a newer treatment option for cancer patients and the developments in radiation technology and imaging coupled with a greater understanding of tumors and cancer cells afford doctors many more treatment alternatives than were available just a few years ago. The ability to use radiation as a kind of scalpel without the need for invasive surgery (in some cases) may allow cancer patients to resume daily activities much faster and with far less discomfort than the cancer treatments of the past.