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Targeting Tumors with Image Guided Radiation Therapy
Willmar Regional Cancer Center utilizes a linear accelerator from Elekta Synergy to offer the world's most advanced radiation therapy treatment to cancer patients in our region.
Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) provides a breakthrough approach to radiation therapy. Unlike traditional radiotherapy, which calls for imaging studies to be done several days before treatment to determine the location of tumors, the new IGRT system provides 3D images at the time of treatment in the exact treatment position.
With IGRT, radiation oncologists can view the results of each treatment before starting the next. Because tumors may change in size or shift between imaging and treatment, the ability to view the images during treatment improves accuracy. It also reduces the need for implanting markers, minimizes possible side effects, saves time, and helps preserve health tissue.
Please visit the Elekta website for more information about image-guided radiation therapy and how a linear accelerator works.
Click the video below to view a slideshow with additional photos of the linear accelerator.