| TomoTherapy, a commercialized form of IMRT, is the | | | | Furthermore, TomoTherapy combines a highly |
| latest is radiation delivery systems. First used in 2003, | | | | sophisticated form of intensity-modulated radiotherapy |
| TomoTherapy treatment is so new, that many | | | | (IMRT), treatment planning, and CT image guided |
| oncologists aren't even trained on it. However, | | | | patient positioning. Combining these technologies allows |
| TomoTherapy is gaining speed and is now used in | | | | radiation oncologists to obtain an up-to-date image of a |
| over 100 locations across the United States, Europe, | | | | tumor location, position the patient, direct treatment right |
| and Asia. | | | | before delivery, and make last-minute adjustments if |
| The term TomoTherapy comes from the Greek word | | | | necessary. |
| "tomos," which means "section". Tomography, for | | | | Essentially, TomoTherapy allows for more accurate, |
| example, is medical imaging technology that images | | | | higher dose delivery of radiation treatment while |
| "sections" of the body, more commonly referred to as | | | | minimizing healthy-tissue damage as well 6as |
| "slices" in the medical community. Thus, TomoTherapy | | | | treatment and recovery times. |
| could be referred to as "slice therapy". | | | | TomoTherapy is commonly used to treat cancers of |
| The "slicing" comes from TomoTherapy's ability to | | | | the lungs, head and neck, breast, prostate, and others. |
| deliver radiation from multiple angles, rather than from | | | | If you are looking at treatment options and wish to |
| several fixed positions, as the delivery system spins | | | | consider TomoTherapy, you should ask your doctor |
| around the patient. This allows continuous delivery of | | | | specifically about it. Because it is so new not all |
| radiation to the target, providing a higher dose than | | | | doctors are aware of it and its advantages over |
| what is traditionally possible. | | | | conventional treatment for certain types of cancer. |