Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy

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The Department of Radiation Oncology has extensive experience using the latest techniques for three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy. The 3-D treatment planning capabilities allow certain features of the linear accelerator to be exploited. Specifically, tumor targets are better localized, as are normal tissue structures not at risk from infiltration by tumor. This better localization, as well as the ability to bring beams in from a variety of directions, allows for more precise dose localization within tumor regions, and better exclusion of normal tissues. Such treatments may be better tolerated because of less normal tissue dose. In addition, with greater exclusion of normal tissue, treatment doses may be escalated, theoretically improving cure rates. This technology is obviously critically important in the treatment of pediatric patients.

A separate, but important, part of our three dimensional planning system is a large milling machine used to design custom tissue compensators. These compensators are milled from ingots of lead-like compound. The compensators can be placed in front of the radiation beams to differentially attenuate it in a fashion that will avoid overdosing in thin parts of a patient, as well as avoid under-dosing in thicker regions. The resulting more uniform dose pattern may be better tolerated and better able to treat areas at risk.

For More Information...

For more information on the services and physicians in the Department of Radiation Oncology, or would like to refer a patient for services, you may contact us at the following location:

Department of Radiation Oncology
Indiana University School of Medicine
535 Barnhill Drive, RT 041
Indianapolis, IN 46202-5289

Phone: (317) 274-1186
FAX: (317) 274-2486
email:Charlotte Spring; cspring@radonc.uh.iupui.edu

[Keywords: three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, tumor]

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