What is Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy (3DCRT)?

October 2, 2009

Advanced radiotherapy planning and delivery techniques that allow for cancer treatment with increased radiation doses, while reducing side effects.

October 02, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- What is Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy (3DCRT)?

Article provided by Ryan A. Foster & Associates, PLLC
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3DCRT refers to advanced radiotherapy planning and delivery techniques that allow for treatment with increased radiation doses with the goal of improving local control of disesase while reducing the side effects to nearby healthy tissues. 3D treament techniques are implemented through the use of highly sophisticated computer systems. These computerized planning sytems utilize imaging information from computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) and other advanced imaging techniques, to generate computer calculated models of the body. The 3D models of the body and its structures are used to create a very precise plan of where best to deliver radiation dose and also defines the normal tissue areas to protect. Treatment planning for 3DCRT consists primarily of three steps:

1. The radiation oncologist identifies the tumor target and nearby normal anatomy with the aid of the planning CT data set and the MRI and/or PET data sets.

2. Radiation beams are shaped to conform to the tumor target.

3. A plan is generated that describes exactly where the radiation beams are to be directed for treatment.

These complex, highly conformal radiation treatment field arrangements are then delivered through the use of an automated computer system. Each day the patient's treatments are delivered using a computer file stored on accessory computers that control the treatment machines.

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