VMAT
Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) is an advanced radiation therapy technique used in the treatment of cancer. It is a form of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) that enhances the precision and efficiency of radiation delivery.
Purpose:
- VMAT is designed to precisely deliver radiation to cancerous tumors while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.
- It is used to treat a wide range of cancers, including those in the brain, head and neck, prostate, lung, abdomen, and pelvis.
Benefits:
- Enhanced precision: VMAT optimizes the radiation dose to conform closely to the shape of the tumor, increasing treatment accuracy and minimizing damage to healthy tissues.
- Reduced treatment time: VMAT's efficient delivery can significantly shorten treatment sessions, improving patient comfort and compliance.
- Improved dose sparing: VMAT can better spare critical structures and organs at risk of radiation-related side effects.
Treatment Planning:
- VMAT treatment planning involves complex computer algorithms that calculate the optimal beam angles and intensity modulation for each patient's specific anatomy.
- Dosimetrists and medical physicists work closely with radiation oncologists to create individualized treatment plans.
