Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)

What is image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)?

Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) uses imaging technology such as X-rays to visualise the position of the tumour so that radiotherapy can be delivered accurately. Accuracy is important not only to treat the tumour, but also to avoid normal tissues.

Image guidance corrects for variations in the position of the patient or tumour, including motion of the tumour within the body. For example, prostate and cervical cancer positions may vary daily based on the state of bladder or rectal filling, while the position of lung and liver cancers change with breathing.

All tumour types can benefit from increased accuracy but image-guidance is especially important when tumours are close to vital organs.

A second advantage is that oncologists can track changes in tumour size or shape over the weeks of treatment. Thus, the radiation plan can be adapted to the new shape, size and position to reduce side effects and improve accuracy. This is called adaptive radiotherapy.

IGRT and other radiation therapy

IGRT is often used as an add-on to improve the positional accuracy of radiation therapy treatments, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), 3D conformal radiation therapy or brachytherapy.

Why do you need IGRT?

IGRT is suitable for all types of cancer, especially those located near important organs and tissues.

IGRT is also useful for tumours that are likely to move during treatment or between treatments, such as lung tumours affected by breathing.

As IGRT is able to detect changes to your cancer before each therapy, your doctor can tailor your treatment plan accordingly. This can result in:

  • Fewer side effects
  • More accurate radiation delivery
  • More effective treatment

What are the risks and complications of image-guided radiation therapy?

IGRT is used as an add-on to radiation therapy. As such, it poses no additional risk or complication beyond the underlying risks of radiation therapy itself.

In fact, IGRT lowers the risk of side effects and complications due to the increased positional accuracy.

Why choose Mount Elizabeth Hospitals?

Mount Elizabeth Hospitals work closely with Parkway Cancer Centre to provide a suite of cancer treatments for our patients in Singapore and around the region.

Our multidisciplinary team consists of skilled doctors, nurses, counsellors and paramedical professionals. We have the equipment and expertise to use image-guided radiation therapy to treat your cancer.

Estimated cost

Private healthcare can be affordable. Use our Hospital Bill Estimator to determine the estimated cost of this procedure. If you have hospital insurance, find out how you can use your insurance.

Our radiation oncologists and diagnostic radiologists

Our experienced radiation oncologists and diagnostic radiologists are skilled in using radiation therapy to treat different types of cancer. We will customise your cancer treatment with your care and comfort as our priority.

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