Elekta Linear Accelerator Featuring IMRT
The linear accelerator is the radiation therapy treatment machine. At the SOMC Cancer Center, our linear accelerator is state-of-the-art featuring a digital imager that allows for clear view of the patient’s treatment area, increasing accuracy.
The linear accelerator also features the revolutionary IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy), a powerful tool in the fight against cancer. IMRT delivers a more precise dose of radiation to the tumor while protecting outlying tissue.
How does the linear accelerator work?
With IMRT, the patient is placed on a table at the linear accelerator where a beam of heavy-ion radiation is focused on and delivered to the tumor. The radiation beam itself is shaped by 80 computer-controlled “leaves” and can be directed on a 360-degree axis. The pinpoint accuracy allows the dose of radiation to the tumor to be maximized while healthy tissue is spared. Side effects during treatment are also minimized.
