Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is one of the newest technologies at Lancaster General Cancer Center. IMRT is one of the most advanced treatments used to battle cancer.

Treatments consist of using very precise external beams of radiation that can be broken down into tiny pencil-thin beams with millimeter accuracy. As a result, patients receive a high dose of radiation directly to the cancerous tissue and low dose or radiation to the surrounding healthy tissue.

IMRT is an aggressive therapy that requires multiple treatment sessions. Typically, patients may be scheduled for IMRT treatments for five days a week for up to 10 weeks.

An evaluation is the first step in IMRT treatment. Mapping angles and locations of the beams are done by the planning system. The location and size of the tumor and the surrounding organs and tissues are all calculated into the IMRT treatment dosage plan.

Currently, the Lancaster General Cancer Center is using IMRT to treat cancers including prostate, metastatic brain tumors, primary brain tumors, pancreatic tumors, liver tumors, breast cancer, head & neck cancer and lung cancer.

Lancaster General is the first hospital in the county to offer this state-of-the-art radiation treatment to our patients. By providing our patients with a high dosage of radiation, while still protecting healthy tissue, we are offering our patients with alternatives.