Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy with Varian RapidArc®

What Is Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy?

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a form of 3D therapy that uses a computer-driven machine that moves around you as it delivers radiation. In addition to shaping the beams and aiming them at the tumor from several angles, the radiation oncologist can adjust the intensity of the beams to minimize the dose reaching normal tissues, while delivering an even higher dose to the desired areas.

RapidArc IMRT

At El Camino Health Cancer Center, we use both conventional IMRT and Varian RapidArc®, technology, which is an advanced form of image-guided IMRT that is up to eight times faster than conventional IMRT.

What differentiates RapidArc IMRT from other IMRT treatments is the ability to dramatically shorten each treatment.

Using a linear accelerator, RapidArc delivers a complete IMRT treatment precisely targeting your tumor with a single 360-degree rotation of the treatment machine around you — making typical treatment sessions last only two minutes or less.

Not only are the shorter treatments more convenient and comfortable for you, but there's less likelihood of the tumor being displaced due to normal functions, such as gas moving through the digestive system or your bladder filling during treatment.

We use RapidArc IMRT most extensively to treat cancers of the prostate, chest, head and neck, and central nervous system.

We continue to use conventional IMRT in many cases, as well. Because we offer all radiation treatment options, we have the ability to evaluate all possibilities and select the treatment that's best for you.