3D technology in cancer treatment? Let's talk simply about 3D-CRT (Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy)

Many of us are afraid when we hear the word cancer. We also have a great fear of radiation therapy . It is normal to think, "Oh, will this affect healthy parts of the body too?" But today's technology is very advanced. Today we are talking about a special radiation treatment plan that precisely targets the cancerous tumor and minimizes the damage to the surrounding healthy organs. That is 3D-CRT.

What is this 3D-CRT?

Simply put, 3D-CRT is a highly advanced technique used to plan External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) for cancer. It is not the treatment itself, but the plan for the treatment .

Imagine you go to a tailor to get a dress made. He takes your exact measurements and tailors the dress to fit you perfectly, right? 3D-CRT is like that. Here, radiation oncologists get a three-dimensional (3D) view of your cancerous tumor and the healthy organs around it.

To get this 3D view, images from diagnostic tests such as a `CT (Computed Tomography)` scan, ` MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)` scan, or `PET ( Positron Emission Tomography )` scan are used. Special computer software analyzes these images and creates a `3D map` of the exact size, shape, and location of the cancer.

What are the uses of 3D-CRT?

Oncologists use this 3D-CRT planning method to treat various types of cancer. This method is especially important in cases where surgery is not possible. It also provides planned radiation therapy to shrink the tumor before surgery (`neoadjuvant therapy`) or to destroy any remaining cancer cells after surgery (`adjuvant therapy`).

Below are some of the most common types of cancer for which 3D-CRT is used.

How is 3D-CRT used in treatment planning?

Your medical team will take you through this 3D-CRT planning process step by step.

1. Creating a 3D Map

First, as we discussed earlier, images from your CT and MRI scans are taken and a computer program creates a 3D map of the tumor. This map is fed into the machine that delivers the radiation (the `Linear Accelerator`).

2. Simulation process

This is like a rehearsal for a play. You will be made to lie down on a treatment table and positioned as you would be receiving radiation therapy. At this point, the 3D map will be used to determine the exact location and angle of the radiation beams.

3. Applying skin markers

During the simulation, the medical team will place several very small, dot-like marks on your skin. These are often small marks (`tattoos`) that look like permanent tattoos . Don't be alarmed when you see these. These are placed so that during each treatment, the radiation beam will be directed exactly where the cancer cells are, without moving even a millimeter. These marks will help you keep your body in the same position during each treatment.

Does 3D-CRT cause side effects?

The important thing to understand here is that 3D-CRT is a planning method , not a treatment. Therefore, there are no direct side effects caused by the 3D-CRT planning process.

However, radiation therapy given according to that plan can cause some side effects. Although 3D-CRT greatly reduces damage to healthy tissue, some damage is still possible. The side effects that occur depend on the area of ​​the body being treated.

Advantages and modern technology of 3D-CRTs

The biggest advantage of the 3D-CRT method is that it targets the tumor very precisely and minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

However, today there are more advanced radiation treatment planning methods than 3D-CRT. One of them is `Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)`.

IMRT uses many, many small beams (beamlets) instead of one large beam. The intensity of the beams can also be adjusted. It's like painting a picture with small, varying strokes of paint, rather than a single color. This allows IMRT to deliver radiation that better matches the complex shape of the tumor. Some studies suggest that IMRT may have even fewer side effects.

If you have been prescribed radiation therapy, don't be afraid to ask your doctor or medical team about the process. It will be a great relief for you to know everything clearly.