IMRT Technology at Judd Cancer Center
4/7/2005

Keith Jennings
706-272-6118

Dalton, GA – Hamilton Medical Center has added advanced radiation therapy technology at Judd Cancer Center. IMRT, or Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, gives the radiation oncologist the ability to target cancer destroying radiation with pinpoint accuracy.

“I would consider IMRT to be one of the more important advances in radiation therapy,” stated Dr. William McKay, Radiation Oncologist, Hamilton Medical Center. “IMRT is one of the best in enabling us to conform the dose of radiation to a tumor and to protect the normal tissues to the maximum degree possible.

Unlike conventional radiation therapy, which consists of a single beam of radiation, the Varian Smartbeam IMRT utilizes hundreds to thousands of pencil-thin beams, with varying intensities that can be tightly focused at a tumor from many angles, due to its 360-degree range of motion.

The Varian Smartbeam is comprised of two unique technologies. The first, a powerful computer program maps out an individualized treatment plan based on the oncologist’s precise dose instructions for each patient. Second, a linear accelerator equipped with a special device called a multi-leaf collimator shapes the radiation beam and delivers the radiation according to the treatment plan.

“What this means for the patient is improved cure rates, reduced recurrence and reduced side effects,” said McKay.

IMRT is primarily used for treating prostate cancer, cancer of the head and neck, breast cancer and gynecological cancers.

“This advanced method of cancer treatment only reinforces our ability to provide world class care to our patients,” concluded Dr. McKay.

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