TomoTherapy® is a radiation therapy device in which radiation is delivered slice-by-slice. It combines a form of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) scanning technology in one device.
TomoTherapy® is a treatment method that evolved from advanced technologies. It targets cancer cells through the pencil beam or beamlet technique. It is used to perform special, customized radiotherapy on a patient-by-patient basis. The TomoTherapy® device is designed with a therapeutic linear accelerator and can perform high-level, three-dimensional imaging, as well as high-level, helical, three-dimensional radiotherapy. TomoTherapy® offers an integrated approach to radiation therapy, combining imaging and treatment delivery to precisely target a wide variety of cancers.
TomoTherapy® is used in the treatment of tumors that are located in risky areas. It makes it possible for radiotherapy to be administered without harming the surrounding healthy tissues and cells. All oncological treatments that require radiotherapy can be performed with the TomoTherapy® HDA method. With its high precision, TomoTherapy® makes it possible to apply radiation therapy to large areas.
The use of the TomoTherapy® system is particularly prominent in treating pediatric tumors, bilateral breast tumors, head and neck tumors, laryngeal tumors, nasal cavity tumors, mesothelioma (the linings of the lungs and abdomen), brain and spinal cord tumors (craniospinal irradiation), complex radiation procedures, protection of risky organs (such as the eyes, spinal cord, or hippocampus), and multiple tumors (simultaneous irradiation) and is often used for bone marrow and whole-body radiation using the IG-IMRT technique and the irradiation of multiple metastases.
TomoTherapy® can deliver precise radiation to match complex tumor shapes while avoiding sensitive structures. Using built-in CT scanning to confirm the shape and position of the tumor before each treatment, TomoTherapy® reduces radiation exposure to healthy tissues and organs. Side effects are often reduced because less radiation reaches the healthy tissues and organs. Many patients who have reached their maximum tolerated dose of radiation can have radiotherapy with TomoTherapy®.
Scanning technology provides a three-dimensional image of the treatment area before every treatment session, so the radiation beams can be targeted according to the size, shape, and location of the tumor on that specific day. The slice therapy approach treats tumors one layer at a time. The TomoTherapy® method makes it possible for the whole body to receive three-dimensional imaging-guided quick and precise treatment from head to toe.
Another important feature of the TomoTherapy® device is speed. The TomoTherapy® device makes it possible for even the most complex treatments to be performed in a very short time while enabling continuous modulation at many angles. With TomoTherapy®, treatment can be performed on the target with a high degree of optimization. This optimization ensures the organs and tissues close to the tumor are protected and this, in turn, ensures the secondary cancer risks and side effects are minimized. This increases the quality of life for patients.
The TomoTherapy® device is an open, wide, circular structure in which a patient rests comfortably on a treatment table to receive radiation treatments. Leveraging a CT scanner-based platform enables 360-degree continuous delivery around the patient at a highly conformal and homogeneous dose to the tumor.