TomoTherapy Radiation Treatment

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Revolutionary cancer therapy designed for each patient

The TomoTherapy HI•ART® System is a new, revolutionary way to treat cancer. With this technology, doctors can check the location of tumors before each treatment, then deliver painless, precise radiation therapy based on a carefully customized plan.

TomoTherapy combines precise 3-D imaging from Computerized Tomography (CT scanning) with highly targeted radiation beams.

Benefits of TomoTherapy

• Locates tumors and identifies their shape and size prior to each treatment
  
• Delivers precise treatment with rotating beams
  
• Targets large, small and/or multiple tumors for treatment
  
• Minimizes radiation to healthy tissue and reduces side effects
  
• Provides the most advanced and integrated cancer treatment system available today
  

The HI•ART system's rotating beam of radiation is constantly adjusted to target the exact size and shape of your cancer. While conventional radiotherapy delivers a wide beam of radiation from just a few directions, the HI•ART machine delivers a small beam of radiation from every point on a 360-degree spiral. This rotating beam can accurately shape the radiation as prescribed by your doctor and treat both large tumors and multiple sites at the same time.

Unlike older radiation therapies, which required transferring patient data between several different stations, the HI•ART system is totally integrated. All patient information is contained in one unit.

If your doctor orders TomoTherapy

The day of treatment

After checking in for your daily treatment, you will be taken to the TomoTherapy room where a radiation therapist will help you onto the HI•ART system's couch. You will probably lie on your back, and the therapist may fit you with a special device to help you remain still during your TomoTherapy treatment.

First the couch will move you through the machine for your imaging. Based on these images, the therapist may change your position or move the couch slightly to make sure the treatment targets the correct area. Then, the couch will move you through the machine once again, this time more slowly, as the HI•ART system delivers your treatment.

What you can expect

The procedure usually takes about 15 minutes. It is important that you move as little as possible during the actual treatment. Treatment is painless and feels no different than having a CT scan or an X-ray. You will not see or feel the treatment as it is being performed. You may hear a clicking noise and the hum of the machine. These are normal sounds made by the system.

Your doctor can give you more information about TomoTherapy treatment. Be sure to discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.

Imaging

Your therapist will take a verification CT image before each treatment to make sure your TomoTherapy session is targeted to the exact location of your tumor. Some tumors can change shape or even shift from day to day. By taking a CT image prior to treatment, your doctor can be certain that each session precisely targets only the affected area, minimizing damage to healthy tissue and reducing the side effects of standard radiation therapy.

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