3-D conformal radiation

Overview

One of many types of radiation therapy, 3-D conformal radiation is a technique that allows doctors to direct radiation beams to conform to the shape of the tumor.

Compared with historical, 2-D radiation therapy, 3-D conformal radiation more precisely delivers radiation to cancer cells, while reducing the amount of radiation to healthy cells. This conventional form of radiation therapy is used to treat cancerous and noncancerous tumors throughout the body.

To prepare for 3-D conformal radiation, specialists use advanced technology to plot the path of multiple radiation beams that will be aimed at the tumor from different directions. During 3-D conformal radiation, the beams deliver a set treatment dose to the tumor, which is spread around the surrounding normal tissue to minimize the entrance and exit dose to any one area.