Chin Med J (Taipei) 1998;61:S67.

Different Approaches to Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy from a Information System

Tze-Jen Lee, Ph.D.

Director, Systems Quality Engineering, Varian Associates, Palo Alto, California

Abstract

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) allows for more precise conformal dose distributions than ever before by letting clinicians control the intensity of the radiation beam. With IMRT, clinical results indicate prescribed dose can be increased without adding morbidity. Healthy tissue is spared. Difficult-to-treat tumors, such as those with unusual shapes, or located close to or even encapsulating vital organs, can be treated with confidence. Until recently, having all these advantages meant spending a lot of precious time. Taking several hours to manufacture physical compensators for example was not uncommon... but unrealistic in a clinical setting. With this in mind, Varian developed the tools to perform a continuum of IMRT treatments supported by both forward and inverse treatment planning techniques.

This presentation is intended to give a brief introduction to what Varian has been doing to make IMRT a viable treatment alternative in radiation therapy.

[Chin Med J (Taipei) 1998;61:S67.]