Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)

IMRT uses a complex dose calculation in order to formulate and deliver precisely targeted radiation to a designated area of the body.

The types of tumors that are effectively treated with IMRT are tumors in and around the head and neck, brain, prostate, spinal cord, and tumors very close to radiosensitive normal tissues like the optic nerve, or pituitary and nasopharyngeal cancer.

The radiation oncologist and the radiation physicist work together to ensure the correct dose is administered and protection of surrounding critical tissue when planning a treatment with IMRT for a patient.

This is accomplished by using small, computer-controlled radiation shields in a linear accelerator. Dozens of uniquely shaped radiation fields are delivered to the patient using various angles and approaches.

During each field of treatment, the dose is adjusted by the multileaf collimator (a device that consists of a number of "fingers" or "leaves" that project into the primary beam to create the required shape). However, in order to spare some areas, certain areas may receive more radiation. 

IMRT is extremely useful in treating targets surrounded by a large volume of normal tissue and/or critical structures that are especially close to the targeted tumor.

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