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On Board Imaging technology which allows the patient to be imaged on the treatment table by a device built into the Trilogyto ensure the patient and tumor are consistently positioned for treatment

Cone Beam CT a device built into the Trilogy that creates 3D axial CT scans of the tumor to allow for comparisons with initial treatment planning images to ensure consistent patient and tumor positioning.  This helps spare the patients normal tissues while directing the beam at the tumor with more accuracy.
Cyberknife an irradiator designed exclusively for administration of SRS.  Works well for very small lesions. 

Combines two technologies, PET and CT for the determination of the precise location of the tumor.  Together they allow for increased sparing of normal tissues. The ACC is purchasing one of these; it should be operating by 2009.

• PET (Positron Emission Tomography) the patient is injected with a radioactive sugar to observe metabolic processes.  The tumor tends to metabolize more of the sugar than normal tissues due to a higher rate of cell division.  This allows for precise imaging of the tumor.
• CT (Computed Tomography) produces 360 images of the body which are similar to tradition x-rays, but much more detailed.

Stereotactic radiosurgery a non-surgical technique using highly focused beams to treat relatively small lesions at locations not adjacent to highly sensitive normal tissues.  Generally 1-3 large fractions are admininistered over a 1 week period.  (instead of brain tumors.  A positioning device is used to keep the patient stationary which minimizes radiation damage to healthy brain tissue.  Radiosurgery is an alternative to invasive surgery.

Computerized tomography (CT) is required for treatment planning.  Positioning devices are used so that the patient can be placed in exactly the same position for each radiation treatment.  Positioning devices may include bite blocks, individually formed plastic masks, surgical pins, and/or a vacuum cushion.  At CSU we require that all planning CTs be performed on site. 

Intensity Modulated Radiosurgery allows for radiation to be administered in shapable leaves which allow the dose to be sculpted around important normal tissue structures. Dose to the tumor can be increased and dose to normal tissues decreased.

A variation of IMRT where planning CT and radiation are administered from the same unit.

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy -- small beams are targeted at a tumor from multiple angles.  The intensity of each beam is controlled and the shape of the beam changes during treatment.  This allows the radiation dose to be controlled to spare normal tissues as the beam bends around normal structures.

Image-Guided Radiation Theapy accounts for the variability in tumor location within the body between treatments.  Initial treatment planning images are compared to current images taken in the treatment room to see if the patients positioning must be adjusted.

Three Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy uses CT-based techniques to generate 3D images of internal structures.  The volumes are used to shape radiation beams to spare normal tissue.