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Hello! I'm Dr. Ramji Rajendran, a radiation oncologist at the Cancer Institute at Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. I'd like to talk with you about intensity-modulated radiation therapy or IMRT.
IMRT is usually used to treat cancers of the head and neck, prostate, and central nervous system. It is a form of radiation therapy that uses computer-controlled linear accelerators to safely deliver precise radiation doses to a tumor while minimizing the dose to surrounding normal tissue.
Your radiation oncologist will discuss with you whether IMRT is the most appropriate treatment for you. If so, you will undergo a physical exam and medical history review, after which a treatment simulation session using CT scanning will be conducted. Other imaging procedures may be required to help your doctor determine the exact shape and location of your tumor. A special device may be created to help you maintain the same exact position during each treatment.
IMRT is painless. However, you may experience some discomfort due to your positioning or your positioning devices being used. As your treatment progresses, you may experience side effects. If you do experience any side effects, talk to your radiation oncologist for advice on how to best manage them.
To learn more about IMRT, visit Radiology Info dot org.
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