How Does TomoTherapy® Work?

TomoTherapy® Steps

TomoTherapy® involves several steps designed to target tumors as accurately as possible. Physicians at Cochise Oncology first use 3D images and special software to characterize the shape of the cancerous lesions in your body. They then use the data they collect to determine the strength and intensity of radiation required to eliminate cancerous cells.

Next, they double-check the size, position, and orientation of tumors before administering radiation using the TomoTherapy Hi·Art System®. Re-characterizing the location is helpful since tumors can move or change shape day-to-day. At the end of the process, the physician is confident that they can target the right areas.

The final step is applying radiation. TomoTherapy® does this using a combination of intensity-modulated radiation therapy and full 360-delivery. The treatment surrounds your body, allowing physicians to direct radiation from specific angles, achieving greater accuracy and avoiding damaging off-target tissues.

Am I a Candidate for TomoTherapy®?

If your oncologist has told you that you have cancerous tumors in your body, you could be a candidate for TomoTherapy®. The procedure treats a variety of cancers, including those of the lung, neck, head, brain, and prostate. It is also suitable for targeting recurring cancers, metastases, and secondary cancers.

Treatment typically lasts around 20 minutes, including both the initial scan and the delivery of radiotherapy. Around half of the time, you spend undergoing treatment involves identifying and characterizing tumors. The rest consists of eliminating them from your body.