Intensity modulated radiation therapy. It sounds like something out of a science fiction novel. In reality, it's a significant advancement in cancer treatment that's now available at Forest Park Hospital.

IMRT, as it's more commonly known, is an advanced form of radiation therapy. Like conventional radiation therapy, it uses X-ray beams to destroy cancer cells.

The difference is, IMRT is dramatically more precise.

"With conventional radiation,  it's more difficult to shape the radiation field to a tumor's exact location," explained Dr. Eric Sutphen, a radiation oncologist at Forest Park Hospital. "So the radiation is targeted to a larger area that includes nearby healthy tissue."

"The problem is, a patient's side effects are determined largely by how the healthy tissue tolerates the radiation," he continued. "To avoid severe side effects, we often have to limit the radiation dose."

With IMRT, on the other hand, doctors create three-dimensional, computer-generated images that depict the shape and depth of a tumor. Software allows the high-dose radiation to be better shaped to the cancerous area – avoiding healthy organs and tissue and keeping the dosage to these areas to a minimum.

The result: less damage to healthy tissue and fewer side effects from treatment.

"IMRT also potentially allows us to apply higher-than-normal radiation doses to the tumor itself, improving the probability of destroying the tumor," said Dr. Sutphen.