IMRT: is it Nirvana?

摘要

Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is a complex form of external beam radiation therapy, which is not called on commonly for palliative therapy. However, its use in day-to-day therapy is becoming more wide-spread with the increasing incorporation of new imaging and planning technologies into radiotherapy departments, together with the increasing availability of multileaf collimators and electronic portal imaging devices. In the clinical setting, IMRT is being used in a number of tumour settings where dose escalation is desirable or where there are dose-limiting organs in close proximity to the tumour. The clinical evidence and basis for treatment is discussed.