Is Conformal or Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) Required for Lymphoma?
Is Conformal or Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) Required for Lymphoma? 3D Conformal Radiotherapy and Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy are sophisticated radiotherapy techniques that are now in wide use all over the world. What is their role in radiation therapy for lymphomas?Answer: 3D Conformal Radiotherapy (3DCRT) and Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) are used for treating tumors that require relatively high doses. A part of the radiation dose always reaches other organs that are close to the tumor. Too much radiation to normal organs can be harmful. These techniques allow doctors to treat the tumor to a high dose while reducing dose to normal organs. Lymphomas are a bit different from many of the common tumors. They are radiosensitive – i.e. they respond well to radiation. Moderate doses of 30-40 Gray are usually quite sufficient to take care of lymphomas. At these doses, normal organs are not too badly affected. This means that sophisticated techniques are not essentia
