Fox Chase Cancer Center has acquired a new technology that allows a more precise delivery of high dose radiation to tumors while sparing healthy tissues and critical structures. Now, with the addition of HD-270 MLC, the shape of the beam is even more conformal compared to regular shaped fields. This technology sets a new standard of radiation therapy. In particular, this technology will aid us in treating head and neck cancers where tumors are often located next to critical organs and nerves.
Radiation is delivered to the tumor using a linear accelerator.
High-precision machined tungsten leaves called Multileaf Collimators, are contained within the linear accelerator and allow the radiation beam to be shaped according to the treatment plan entered into the operating computer. The HD-270 MLC software adds to this technology by reducing the width of the MLC leaves from 10 mm to 2 mm. By using complex algorithms, the computer calculates the final radiation fields incorporating changes in the position of the MLC leafs and the treatment table. This enables efficient delivery of radiation to the tumor while increasingly sparing normal healthy tissues and critical organs. Clinical implementation of this technology was presented by Siemens Medical Systems, Inc., at the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology Annual Conference in Boston, 2000.