Online Books > Clinical implementation of intensity-modulated radiotherapy using a dynamic multi-leaf collimator

Patient Selection

Currently, use of IMRT is reserved for our most difficult cases only, because IMRT is such a radical shift from conventional radiotherapy and thus associated with a steep learning curve. Ultimately, we expect that virtually all our patients will benefit from IMRT.

Advantages of IMRT include superior dose distributions (with simultaneous improvements in dose conformation, normal tissue sparing, critical structure avoidance and target dose homogeneity) and no need for divergent blocks, wedges or other devices which require therapists to enter the treatment room between fields.

For us, the question is not will IMRT become the standard of care in radiotherapy; but rather, how soon.

< Previous | Index | Next >