When you or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, you may have heard of "radiation therapy." That word can be a little scary. But with the advancement of medical science, these treatments have become much safer and more precise. Today, we are talking about a very advanced treatment that targets only cancer cells and minimizes damage to surrounding healthy cells. It is called IMRT.
Simply put, what is IMRT?
IMRT stands for Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy . This is a type of radiation therapy for cancer. Imagine that you have a regular torch in your hand. When you turn it on, it lights up a large area, right? But if you want to light just a small spot, you need something like a laser torch.
That's how it is. In conventional radiation therapy, the radiation beam is focused on the tumor in a uniform, slightly wider area. But in IMRT, we use very advanced technology to increase or decrease the intensity of the radiation beam.
Simply put, this technology can send a more intense beam to the very center of the tumor, where there are more cells, and a less intense beam to the edges of the tumor, where healthy tissue is closer. This treatment is given with a machine called a ``Linear Accelerator'' or ``LINAC''. This machine never touches your body. It does the treatment remotely.
The main goal of this method is to minimize radiation exposure to sensitive, healthy organs and tissues around the cancer while causing maximum damage to the cancer cells.
Why is IMRT treatment so important?
Cancerous tumors can form in many different parts of our bodies. Sometimes, they can form near very sensitive organs like the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. When treating a cancer in such a location with radiation, it can be a challenge to avoid damaging those sensitive organs.
Because of the precision of the IMRT method, it is a very good option for treating cancers in sensitive areas like these. It precisely targets the cancer and treats it, while significantly reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Therefore, the risk of side effects is low.
Some of the most common types of cancer for which IMRT is used are:
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Colon cancer
- Lung cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Uterine cancer and many other types of cancer.
Who plans and provides this treatment?
This is not a one-person operation. This is a team effort . Several skilled professionals work together to make your treatment successful. Let's take a look at that team.
| Team member | The work being done |
|---|---|
| Radiation Oncologist | He/she is the one who creates and oversees your complete treatment plan. |
| Medical Physicist and Dosimetrist | These are the people who use computers to precisely design the shape, intensity, and dose of the radiation beams needed for cancer. |
| Radiation Therapist | On treatment days, this officer will position you correctly, operate the LINAC machine, and administer the treatment. |
What happens before treatment? (Simulation session)
Before the actual treatment begins, there is a "planning session." This is called a `(simulation)` or `(sim)`. This is where all the information needed to plan the treatment is gathered.
What happens in this session?
- Scans: You will have a CT scan to see exactly where your tumor is, its size, and its shape. Sometimes an MRI or PET scan may also be done.
- Marking: Every day of treatment, you will be placed in the same spot, and a few very small dots will be applied to your skin, like a tattoo. These will look like small spots. These marks will need to be kept in place until the treatment is complete.
- Body stabilization: It is very important that you remain still during the treatment. To help with this, you can use a special `mold` made to fit your body.
The medical team uses the information obtained from this `(sim)` session to create radiation beams tailored to your cancer.
What happens during treatment?
The treatment schedule will vary depending on the type of cancer you have. Typically, you will receive treatment daily (Monday through Friday) for several weeks. Each session will last about 30 minutes.
During treatment:
- You are positioned using molds, just like you were in that `(sim)` session.
- Then the radiation therapist goes into a separate room and turns on the ``LINAC`` machine. He can watch you on a monitor. There is also an ``intercom`` system that allows you to talk to each other.
- The machine rotates back and forth as it delivers radiation beams from different angles. You may hear a 'click', 'click' sound during this time. This is normal, don't worry.
Most importantly, IMRT treatment is completely painless . You won't feel the radiation during the treatment.
How do you take care of yourself during recovery?
Your body needs plenty of rest during and after treatment. Here are some things to help you recover quickly:
- Get plenty of rest. Give your body time to heal.
- Eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water.
- Take special care of your skin: The skin in the treated area may be very sensitive.
- Wear loose, cotton clothes.
- Use soaps and body washes that do not contain perfumes or harsh chemicals.
- Do not place hot water bottles or ice packs on treated skin.
- Cover the area when going out in the sun. If you can't cover it, use a good sunscreen.
The most important thing is to follow your doctor's instructions exactly. He or she will explain to you the possible side effects and what to expect during your recovery.
Take-Home Message
- IMRT is a highly advanced, precise radiation treatment method for cancer.
- The main advantage of this is that it targets cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
- Before treatment begins, scans and careful planning by a team of specialists are required.
- There is no pain during the treatment.
- If you have any questions, concerns, or fears about the treatment, talk openly with your doctor about it.
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