What is tomotherapy?
Tomotherapy, a type of radiotherapy used to fight tumors or for palliative purposes, is defined as the most modern technique of external beam radiotherapy. Tomotherapy allows a better efficiency thanks to a higher target irradiation, with the possibility to treat in a single session several times the target and with more effective doses.
What is tomotherapy?
The tomotherapy device is composed of a CT detector and a linear accelerator. During the session, the apparatus rotates both with continuous longitudinal and longitudinal movements of the couch, resulting in spiral high intensity modulated beams.
The tomotherapy device is composed of a CT detector and a linear accelerator.
Why is it performed?
Compared to traditional radiotherapy, tomotherapy allows a more selective irradiation of the tumor, thus sparing the surrounding healthy tissues. This allows the administration of high doses in several very small fractions. Tomotherapy is particularly indicated for the treatment of neoplasms located near important and delicate organs (head, neck, pancreas, central nervous system) which therefore require a great deal of precision, and for the treatment of malignant tumors requiring high concentrated doses (prostate).
Preparation for tomotherapy
Tomotherapy does not require special procedures, apart from fasting for at least 8 hours to avoid the possible side effects of radiation therapy.
What does the test feel like?
The exam is completely painless. It is essential to immobilize the patients so that the area to be treated is the one delimited beforehand. After treatment, adequate rest is advised before returning to daily life.