Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)

Overview

Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) is a leading-edge cancer treatment used at Mayo Clinic. It uses advanced imaging immediately before and during radiation therapy to improve its accuracy and delivery.

Highly trained specialists in the Department of Radiation Oncology work closely with medical oncologists, surgeons and other physicians to coordinate the most appropriate care plan for each cancer patient.

Cancer patients benefit from treatment at Mayo, which provides care for a large number of patients and has special expertise in cancer care. Collectively, Mayo Clinic treats more than 19,500 new cancer patients each year, making it one of the largest cancer treatment facilities in the nation. The National Cancer Institute has designated Mayo Clinic Cancer Center as a comprehensive cancer center for its excellence in cancer research.

How It Works

In IGRT, a physician uses high-quality three-dimensional images to pinpoint tumor sites and adjust the patient's position during treatment to precisely target the tumor. IGRT provides the patient with a more accurate and precise treatment than traditionally possible.

Before a patient starts standard radiation treatments, a CT scan is performed to allow the physician to see the patient's internal anatomy. After the CT scan, small tattoos are placed on the patient's skin so the radiation beams can be aimed at the tumor. Other imaging, such as MRI or PET scans, may be used in the planning. Before each treatment, digital imaging systems view the patient from multiple angles, and computer analysis of the images allows the treatment team to bring the patient into better alignment with the radiation beams. The use of IGRT adds two to three minutes to each radiation treatment.

If a standard image cannot show the tumor's location, the physician may insert tiny gold markers in the tumor so it appears in the images. In other instances, the treatment system may rotate around the patient, acquiring a cone beam CT scan that allows the treatment team to better position the patient before treatment.

Advantages of IGRT

IGRT improves the accuracy of radiation treatment delivery. Radiation oncologists consider IGRT ideal for tumors that are very close to sensitive structures and organs. The skilled specialists at Mayo Clinic will determine whether IGRT is the most appropriate form of treatment for each patient.

The advantages of IGRT include:

• Decreased radiation exposure to normal tissue surrounding the tumor
• Enhanced views to locate a tumor and detect any movement
• The possibility of higher radiation dosage to cancer cells
• Precise radiation delivery
• Increased likelihood of destroying cancer cells

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