Tomotherapy

Tomotherapy is a type of radiotherapy in which radiation is precisely aimed at a tumor. It is a non-invasive method that delivers radiation by rotating the beam around the body of a patient and aiming the targeted beams at tumors from multiple directions. It is a sort of intensity-modulated therapy in which radiation is delivered solely to the tumor location, reducing radiation exposure in the surrounding area, and thus causing minimal damage to healthy tissue and organs. Furthermore, it is a type of image-guided therapy approach that adjusts the strength of radiation to the shape and size of the tumor.

Tomotherapy Alternate Name

Helical tomotherapy

Body Location

The tomotherapy approach allows the treatment of a wide range of clinical problems, starting with extremely minor neoplastic tumors in the brain or throughout the body.

Tomotherapy Procedure

Tomotherapy is an advanced radiation treatment practiced in cancer therapy. It provides a three-dimensional view of the cancerous tissue to be treated. The patient is made to lie down on a table and is moved in all four directions. The material will be used to cover the portion of the patient's body that will not be exposed to the radiation. The machine directs the targeted beams by rotating around the body from various angles. The patient must be as motionless as possible during the process. Treatment sessions will be between 10 and 20 minutes.

Preparation For Tomotherapy

A 3-dimensional (3D) image of the tumor is generated using a variety of scanning modalities (such as CT, MRI, or PET) and sophisticated software before treatment begins. This aids the doctor in determining the tumor size, shape, and location, as well as the radiation dose that can destroy tumor cells while causing minimal damage to neighboring tissue. The treatment for tomotherapy is done as an outpatient procedure, which means that the patient can return home when the procedure is completed. Treatments will last between one and ten weeks and will be done daily.

Tomotherapy Procedure Type

Tomotherapy is a non-invasive procedure that does not require an incision into the body or the removal of tissue.

Follow-up After Tomotherapy

Follow-up care is used to monitor treatment outcomes, recurrence, and side effects after treatment. Post-treatment, the patient will have follow-up sessions with the radiation oncologist. The patient will undertake imaging tests to determine the effectiveness of the radiation after the completion of therapy sessions. Also, any allergies to radiation or side effects, which are rare, can be detected. During the period of treatment, the patient's treatment schedule, dosages, and overall health are thoroughly evaluated.

Benefits of Tomotherapy Treatment

• Tomotherapy is a very accurate method that exactly targets the tumor.
• This Tomotherapy treatment helps to keep the damage to the surrounding tissues to a minimum.
• When compared to other medications, it has fewer side effects.
• It's a painless, non-invasive technique that can be utilized alongside surgery, chemotherapy, and/or other drugs.
• The technique is suitable for tumors that are difficult to approach or are located near vital organs.
• Each session only takes a few minutes.
• It can treat several tumors simultaneously at once

Risks Factor of Tomotherapy

• Tomotherapy may induce temporary side effects such as nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, leg swelling, bladder problems, difficulty in urination, dry mouth, vomiting, or skin irritation.
• It may cause some adverse effects in the treated area. However, the majority of side effects fade away once therapy is completed. There are techniques to minimize such side effects if they occur.

Recovery From Tomotherapy

The patient may feel tired for four to six weeks after the last therapy session. This can be recovered gradually with the standard care given after the completion of therapy sessions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Tomotherapy?

Tomotherapy is an advanced type of radiation therapy used to treat different types of cancer. It integrates imaging technology with radiation delivery to allow higher precision by targeting radiation doses to the tumour. Tomotherapy reduces the probability of radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissues and organs. 

How is Tomotherapy Different From Other Forms Of Radiation Therapy?

Tomotherapy is unique because it uses a machine that rotates 360 degrees around the patient, delivering radiation from multiple angles. This allows for a precise delivery of radiation to the tumour while also minimising the exposure of radiation to healthy tissue. It also uses advanced imaging technology to monitor the tumour in real-time during treatment. 

What Types of Cancer are Treated With Tomotherapy?

Tomotherapy can be used to treat a range of cancers, including breast cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer and head and neck cancer, among others. Due to higher precision, tomotherapy is effective in treating tumours located in hard-to-reach anatomical regions or those close to vital organs, where traditional radiation therapy might pose a higher risk.

What are The Benefits of Tomotherapy?

Tomotherapy offers several advantages over traditional radiation therapy, including precision of radiation dose delivery to the tumour, minimising the risk of side effects and shorter treatment span. Real-time monitoring of the tumour’s progress during treatment allows the radiation expert to modify the doses to achieve optimal radiation dosing.

What Should I Expect During Tomotherapy?

During a tomotherapy session, the machine rotates around the patient’s table, precisely delivering targeted radiation doses from various angles. Each tomotherapy session lasts between 30-60 minutes. The frequency and duration of sessions typically depend on the patient’s treatment plan. Some patients may experience fatigue or skin irritation, which are generally mild and clinically manageable.