3D Conformal Radiotherapy

3D conformal radiotherapy and IMRT are generally only possible for patients who have received CT-simulation. 3D-conformal radiotherapy and IMRT have similar goals: that is to ensure the target (the cancer) gets the appropriate dose of radiation, whilst ensuring that critical normal tissues receive low or no dose of radiation. 3D-conformal radiotherapy is considered appropriate for most patients, although IMRT is particularly recommended for patients with prostate, brain and head and neck cancer.

The benefits of 3D conformal radiotherapy can be seen in the following patient with breast cancer.

The image shows what would happen if one did not use 3D-conformal radiotherapy. Excessive amount of heart and lungs are being treated with high doses of radiation, and there is no way to quantify these unless the patient has had CT-simulation and 3D-conformal radiotherapy planning.

 

By using 3D-conformal radiotherapy planning we can determine what lung and heart is being excessively treated, and then take measures to decrease the amount of heart and lung getting radiotherapy. On the left is an image showing how with 3D-conformal planning we can see very well what our radiotherapy is doing in 3 dimensions.

 

One other way of using 3D conformal radiotherapy to decrease potential side-effects of breast cancer radiotherapy is by using "prone breast" radiation.

 

All patients should ask whether they are able to have 3D conformal radiotherapy.