Tomo Therapy is an advanced form of Intensity-modulated radiation therapy used to treat cancer. It involves a combination of radiation therapy and CT image-guided positioning of the patient. The patient lies on a couch in a relaxed position. The couch moves continuously with a rotating ring such that the radiation is delivered from every angle.
One of the unique features of Tomo Therapy is that it has a 4D imaging feature that provides 4D images of the tumor, especially those which can move. These tumors can be targeted precisely without causing any damage to the healthy surrounding tissue.
Types of Tomotherapy Radiation Treatment India
Planning the Treatment
Making the right treatment plan is the first and the most significant part of tomotherapy. The doctor takes 3D images of the tumor with the help of technologies like MRI or CT scan to define the exact size, shape and location of the tumor. This is essential to decide the exact pattern, intensity and position of radiation that will be delivered such that there is minimal damage to the surrounding tissues and maximum effect on the target site.
CT Image-Guided Positioning of the Patient
The positioning of the patient also plays a vital role during the treatment. Therefore, just before the treatment starts, the doctor will take a specialized CT scan to confirm the location and exact positioning of the tumor. This is important because the patient position as well the location of the tumor may slightly change in every session. In this way, the physician is able to ensure that the radiation is targeted accurately.
Delivery of the Radiations
01. The patient is made to lie on a table that can rotate in all directions. His /her body is covered with a special cloth except for the area that needs to be exposed to the radiation. This is done to avoid unnecessary exposure to other parts of the body.
02. The radiation machine is directed towards the area to be treated which is operated by the radiotherapist.
03. The patient is asked to stay as still as possible and the radiation is delivered.
04. Each session takes a few minutes and the process hardly causes any discomfort.
05. Tomotherapy is an amalgamation of IMRT (Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy) and a spiral radiation delivery system. This ensures the radiation is only confined to the tumor.
What happens after the treatment?
The patients are closely monitored during the sessions of tomotherapy. One may also have some imaging tests to check how effectively the treatment is working. In case of any allergy or any other side effects, one must inform the doctor on an urgent basis.
Diagnosis of Tomotherapy Radiation Treatment India
When is Tomo Therapy Recommended?
Tomotherapy is often recommended by doctors to solve the following purposes:
01. Reduce cancer symptoms in the advanced stages
02. To use it as the primary form of treatment
03. To use it in combination with other treatments
04. To shrink a tumor before the surgery
05. To destroy the cancer cells that are left after other forms of treatment
Symptoms and Risk factors
Tomotherapy Advantages
Tomotherapy allows the doctors to adjust the shape, size and intensity of the radiation according to the shape, size and location of the tumor.
Some other benefits are:
01. Helps in confirming the location of the tumor before each treatment session.
02. Helps to target the tumor with precise levels of radiation
03. Minimal damage to the surrounding tissues
04. Reduced side effects
05. It is less time-taking
06. Can also be used as a preventive treatment
07. Recovery is fast
08. No anesthesia required
09. Painless process
Disadvantages of Tomography
While there are so many advantages of tomotherapy, there may be some side effects as well. Some common tomotherapy disadvantages are listed below:
01. Changes in the bladder movements
02. Nausea and vomiting
03. Swelling in the legs
04. Irritation and redness of the skin
05. Xerostomia or dry mouth
06. Changes in bowel movements
01/30/2025
