Technical:

http://www.varian.com/onc/imr001.shtml

Clinicians at leading institutions are using a new technique called SmartBeam IMRT, that is showing promise of improving cure rates while reducing harmful side effects. This therapy, called Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, or IMRT, is a form of three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) that links treatment planning and driver software to the actual treatment delivery devices. As a result, clinicians can determine and deliver an optimum plan of individualized radiation for each patient.

National Cancer Institute:

http://www.cancer.gov

NCI's Cancer Progress Report, first published in December 2001, describes the Nation's progress in reducing the cancer burden, encompassing the continuum from prevention to deaths from specific cancers. Also reflected are declines in certain behaviors that cause cancer, especially cigarette smoking by adults. More people are getting screened for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers, and more practitioners are adopting state-of-the-art cancer treatments. Greater efforts also are needed to reduce tobacco use, weight gain, and sun exposure and to increase physical activity. We must also redouble our efforts to eliminate persistent cancer-related health disparities among population groups.

Radiation and IMRT:

http://www.oncolink.com/treatment/treatment.cfm?c=5

Radiation therapy is the use of high level radiation to destroy cancer cells. Both tumor cells and healthy cells may be affected by this radiation. The radiation injures the cancer cells so they can no longer continue to divide or multiply. With each treatment, more of the cells die and the tumor shrinks. The dead cells are broken down, carried away by the blood and excreted by the body. Most of the healthy cells are able to recover from this injury. However, the damage to the healthy cells is the reason for the side effects of radiation therapy. Radiation has its greatest effect on tissues that divide rapidly.