Image-Guided IMRT Delivers Results for Prostate Cancer Patients

Posted by Rheta Mankin on December 16th, 2015

Prostate cancer patients who undergo a complete removal of this gland are often surprised to learn that surgery isn’t enough to hedge the odds in their favor for beating the disease. For those who want an extra layer of protection, image-guided intensity modulated radiation therapy, or IG-IMRT for short, offers a potentially life-saving boost. This postoperative radiological technique produces low toxicity rates without a significant increase for side effects common in prostate cancer treatment, researchers have found.

A recently released prospective study shows that IG-IMRT delivers an effective way to kill off cancer cells that may remain following surgery without necessarily lowering the quality of life for patients. The study in question involved 68 men from the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto. A total of 53 of those patients were treated with salvage TR and 15 with ART. Patients were followed through to the five-year mark. The study demonstrated low toxicity in patients without a significant increase in urinary, sexual and bowel side effect issues reported.

IG-IMRT is a highly precise delivery technique for radiation therapy following a prostatectomy. This procedure involves the use of imaging technology to enable doctors to precisely target treatments in the location of a prostate tumor. This method is considered highly effective because it enables delivery of a higher dosage while also preserving surrounding healthy tissue in the process. What’s more, the use of image guided technology ensures that a prostate tumor is targeted directly. These tumors are known to move. That means getting a clear picture of tumor location just prior to treatment can be especially important for producing desired results. IG-IMRT allows doctors to pinpoint treatments.

Men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer are urged to discuss all treatment options with their healthcare providers. When follow-up radiation is recommended after a prostatectomy, IG-IMRT might produce the desired results.

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North Texas Cancer Center at Wise, a division of Choice Cancer Care, is now operating as the Cancer Center at Wise Regional and is one of the most renowned cancer treatment centers in Texas.