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Since its introduction of intensity modulated radiation therapy
(IMRT) in 2000, the Institute for Advanced Radiation Oncology has
been a pioneer in bringing patients the most-advanced breakthroughs
in 3-D conformal radiotherapy. In fact, Monmouth has served as
an IMRT “elite model site” for Siemens Medical Solutions
and has hosted more than 300 site visits over the last several
years, welcoming radiation oncologists, medical physicists and
other cancer specialists from throughout the world to explore the
process and benefits of establishing an IMRT practice in a community
hospital.
In 2003, Monmouth Medical Center marked another milestone in radiation
therapy when it became the first hospital on the East Coast to
treat patients with the Oncor Avant-Garde Linear Accelerator. Developed
by Malvern, Pa.-based Siemens Medical Solutions, this advanced
system offers highly sophisticated computer-guided planning capabilities
and was designed to integrate many leading-edge technologies.
IMRT involves the manipulation of radiation beams through advanced
computer-controlled technology to change the intensity of the beam
profile around both tumor and normal tissues.
Because of the additional control achieved through this new approach,
intensity modulation provides more conformality of the target.
As a result, IMRT is delivered to multiple, more complex conformal
treatment fields in a shorter amount of time. Patients
can expect decreased side effects. Because of greater healthy
tissue sparing, IMRT can be combined with chemotherapy to
improve cure rates.
Additional information on IMRT is available from the National
Cancer Institute, National
Comprehensive Cancer Network and American
Cancer Society.
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Radiation Oncology
Monmouth Medical Center
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Treatment Technology
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