Radiation Oncology
Treatments

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)

Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has been in use at Emory Radiation Oncology since August 1998.

IMRT uses computer-generated images to plan and then deliver tightly focused radiation beams to a tumor. Because the method is so precise, it allows the radiation oncologist to increase the radiation dose delivered to the tumor, making it more effective.

IMRT's benefits to patients include fewer side effects and complications and, in some cases, greater probability of cure due to increased radiation dose to the tumor.

IMRT represents one of the first uses of treatment techniques to optimize the radiation delivery. The IMRT planning system evaluates millions of possible beam arrangements and yields an optimized treatment plan. This plan maximizes the radiation dose delivered to the tumor while minimizing the radiation dose delivered to the surrounding normal tissues.