IGRT-IMRT

At Shore Point Radiation Oncology Center in Lakewood, New Jersey, Michael Marchese, MD, FACRO Hemangini Shah, DO, FACRO, and their team offer image-guided, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IGRT-IMRT) to treat cancer. This innovative treatment limits healthy cells’ exposure to radiation while effectively destroying cancer cells. To learn more and schedule your consultation, call the office or book an appointment online via the website today.

What is image-guided, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IGRT-IMRT)?

IGRT-IMRT is a leading-edge form of radiation therapy used to eradicate cancer cells. Because this treatment is carefully customized, skilled providers use it to destabilize harmful cells while leaving healthy tissues as unaffected as possible.

Because the treatment is carefully customized, skilled providers use it to destroy malignant cells while leaving healthy tissues unaffected as possible. 

How does IGRT-IMRT work?

First, it’s important to consider what “image-guided” means. Radiation therapy relies on high-energy radiation to damage cancer cells. However, physicians don’t like to use a wide approach when a targeted approach would produce better outcomes.

It is important to limit the radiation to the target while minimizing exposure to the surrounding tissues to produce the best outcomes. That is where image guidance comes in. Scans are taken prior to each treatment so the team can guide the radiation exactly where it needs to go.

During radiation treatments the radiation beams are modulated with precise computer control to adjust the shape and the intensity of the beam so that the amount of radiation to the tumor is much higher than the surrounding tissue. This allows us to hit the tumor with higher doses while limiting the risk of side effects to the normal organs.

What types of cancer does IGRT-IMRT treat?

The skilled team at Shore Point Radiation Oncology Center uses this innovative treatment to address a wide variety of cancers, including:

• Prostate cancer
• Lymphoma or sarcoma
• Lung cancer
• Breast cancer
• Gastrointestinal cancers
• Head and neck cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Brain and Spine tumors

What should I expect during my IGRT-IMRT treatment?

The team will ask you lie down on the treatment couch. Immobilization devices may be applied so that you don't move during treatment. The radiation therapist will line you up with lasers that show up on tattoo dots we have placed on your skin or on marks on the immobilization device. We will then take an image with either a CT scan or electronic x-ray to see if the target is lined up exactly as we planned it. When everything matches the machine will be turned on to deliver the radiation over a period of two to five minutes. The machine will rotate around while delivering the radiation. You may hear some noise, but you will not feel the radiation. You will walk out feeling the same way you walked in. The total time in the treatment room will be around 15 minutes.

The team will guide you if there are any special requirements depending on which area we are treating. You can generally eat or drink prior to treatment. For prostate cancer patients for instance, it is better to have a full bladder for the treatment. The team will also go over skin care and other measures that are helpful during your treatment, including changes in diet or any dietary restrictions. We want to make the treatments as easy and comfortable for you as possible.

Rely on the experienced team at Shore Point Radiation Oncology Center for leading-edge care. Call the office or book an appointment online today.

What is Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SBRT)

Stereotactic radiation therapy is an advanced form of IG-IMRT in which many beams converge on the target to deliver high doses to the tumor while greatly limiting radiation to the surrounding tissues. Gamma Knife was the first form of stereotactic radiation therapy utilized. It used many radioactive Colbalt beams aimed at the target. It was developed for brain tumors.

It is still in use today, but mainly for brain tumors. Gamma Knife is made by Leksell. The Cyber knife machine is manufactured by Accuray. It is used in some Centers for stereotactic radiation therapy. It uses a moveable robotic arm to deliver radiation through multiple small beams. True Beam is, manufactured by Varian, the leading radiation therapy equipment manufacturer. It is one of the latest forms of delivering stereotactic radiation therapy. True beam utilizes multiple modulated arcs to deliver high doses of radiation therapy to the tumor.

What type of SBRT is available at shore point?

Shore Point uses the Varian True Beam equipment to deliver stereotactic radiation therapy. Studies at Memorial Sloan Kettering have shown that the precision and accuracy of True Beam is at least equal to Cyber Knife. The big advantage of True Beam is that the radiation is delivered in a much shorter period of time, usually over several minutes while Cyber Knife takes much longer. This is important for patient comfort as the patients have to be immobilized and be very still for the entire treatment time. That is why Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York and other major facilities utilize the Varian True beams for the sterotactic radiation therapy. 

What types of cancers does SBRT treat?

The skilled team at Short Point Radiation uses SBRT to treat various cancers, including prostate cancer, lung cancer and brain cancer. It can be used in most parts of the body where there has been an isolated tumor recurrence. SBRT is usually delivered over three to five days.

Dr. Marchese and Dr. Shah will discuss all treatment options with you, including whether SBRT is recommended for you.