Imaging Technology Helps Make Radiation Treatments More Effective: Study

Oncologists have long known that radiation therapy is highly beneficial for treating patients with cancer. When applied effectively, the right dose of radiation can shrink tumors, kill cancer cells and help prevent recurrence and spread. Making sure that radiation is highly focused, however, is a real concern. After all, this incredibly effective cancer killer has no ability to discriminate between healthy and diseased cells.

Enter PET/CT imaging. This technology has been found to be very useful in helping clinicians properly plan out and map targeting and dosing of radiation. Recent studies have shown, in fact, that the use of PET/CT technology can greatly enhance radiation treatment planning for people who suffer from head and neck cancers.

Radiation therapy is considered a critical treatment when head and neck cancers are diagnosed. This form of therapy is very effective in helping doctors eradicate cancer, but concerns about toxicity and targeting often persist. PET/CT imaging with advance deliver measures, however, offers a way to overcome some of the concerns. When imaging is combined with intensity-modulated radiation therapy this image-guided form of treatment enables better targeting and greater preservation of surrounding healthy tissue, researchers have found. In addition to enabling more precise treatments, imaging also helps doctors better understand the biology of a particular tumor. This can be quite important in guiding treatments while also offering insights for prognosis.

Image-guided radiation therapy has proven itself highly useful in treating a number of difference cancers. For those who suffer from head and neck cancers, the need for precision in treatment is especially high. This technology provides the insights required to maximize treatment benefits while minimizing associated risks.

People who are diagnosed with head and neck cancers should carefully discuss all treatment options with their healthcare providers. The best recommendations will depend on the unique case in question.

By PET CT