What is image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)?

A highly advanced computerized process for improving the accuracy of radiation delivered to kill tumors in cancer patients. Traditional radiation therapy is compromised by inability to three-dimensionally confirm that the tumor is in perfect position as well as the fact that patients move involuntarily (breath) during treatment, making the tumor a “moving target.” It is very difficult to prevent radiation from damaging nearby healthy tissues. IGRT uses high resolution and advanced imaging technologies to account for position and motion, thereby sparing healthy tissues.

Is there more than one type of image-guided radiation therapy?

Yes. There are a number of methods, including “tomotherapy” that a lot of people have been talking about. All of our machines perform high-quality IGRT with imaging exactly like or in some cases superior to tomotherapy. However, we actually have four machines capable of doing more things better than tomotherapy. This sophisticated approach involves 3T-MRI, CT-PET imaging, and 4-dimensional gating. Our physicists and dosimetrists analyze the patient’s motion and synch this rhythm with multi-dimensional CT images, creating an extremely precise "prescription for radiation."

Can our systems target smaller, more sensitive areas than tomotherapy?

Yes. Our stereotaxis and advanced imaging machines are capable of treating a painful condition called trigeminal neuralgia, which involves a small nerve exiting the brainstem. Tomotherapy cannot treat a target this miniscule.

Is this approach unique to The University of Iowa?

We were actually one of the nation’s first to use IGRT extensively and have now imaged more than 7,000 treatments. We are currently the only center in Iowa with the full complement of integrated technologies capable of accounting for this level of precision during radiation therapy.