Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)

The Radiation Oncologists are using image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) to help them better deliver the radiation dose to the cancer.

Normal structures and tumors can move between treatments due to differences in organ filling or movements while breathing. IGRT is conformal radiation treatment guided by imaging equipment, such as ultrasound.

During Simulation, ultrasound images are acquired and used as part of the planning process. These images are also then used in comparison on a daily basis while on the treatment unit.

During IGRT, doctors "fuse" these images to see if the treatment needs to be changed. This allows doctors to better target the cancer while avoiding nearby healthy tissue. In some cases, doctors will implant a tiny piece of material called a fiducial marker near or in the tumor to help them localize the tumor during IGRT.