The North Cypress Cancer Center offers Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT). IGRT is a new, high tech modality for treating cancer that accounts for motion to ensure that the target is in the same position every treatment session. With IGRT, radiographic, fluoroscopic and cone-beam CT modes are integrated with automated repositioning and motion management visualization software. This enables clinicians to verify that treatments are completely in sync with respiration.
IGRT provides high-resolution, three-dimensional images to pinpoint tumor sites, adjust patient positioning when necessary, and complete a treatment—all within the standard treatment time slot. Knowing exactly where the tumor is allows clinicians to reduce the amount of tissue irradiated, targeting only the tumor and sparing the surrounding normal tissue. Irradiating less normal tissue reduces the toxicity of radiotherapy, improving the patient's quality of life. In some cases, improved targeting may make it possible to deliver higher radiation doses to the tumor and thereby increase the likelihood of local tumor control.
Patient Benefits
- Through more precise targeting of the beam, dosage levels can be increased and target volumes—so tumors get a higher dose of radiation and healthy surrounding tissues get very little. Higher doses have been shown to enhance treatment effectiveness. Also, better targeting reduces the possible side effects of radiotherapy.
- State-of-the-art motion management techniques allow patients to breathe naturally during treatment sessions, increasing treatment accuracy, reducing stress and increasing patient comfort.
For more information about Image Guilded Radiation Therapy or about the North Cypress Cancer Center, contact us at 832-912-3650.
