Inova Health System is proud to feature Northern Virginia’s only TomoTherapy system for precision cancer treatment.
TomoTherapy™ is a new way to deliver radiation therapy with more precision than any other technology. TomoTherapy significantly improves the accuracy of treatment by imaging the target tissue immediately prior to treatment and making tiny, split-second adjustments for any patient movement or internal organ movement.
How does TomoTherapy work?
The TomoTherapy machine consists of tiny "beamlets" that target the patient from 360 degrees. When a beamlet is pointed at the target area or tumor, it switches on. When it is pointed at normal tissue, it switches off.
The TomoTherapy beam is tuned down just seconds before treatment begins to make a diagnostic-type CT scan of the patient. Technicians use the scan to more accurately position the patient for the best results. The entire process including imaging, repositioning and treatment usually takes no longer than about 15 minutes.
What are the benefits of TomoTherapy?
The precision of TomoTherapy allows a higher dosage of radiation to reach the target area, minimizes radiation exposure to healthy tissue, and reduces potential side effects and complications.
TomoTherapy is most effective when there is a discrete target organ or tumor. Cancers of the sinus and pharynx, certain brain tumors, prostate cancer and difficult cancer recurrences, especially after prior radiation therapy, often respond well to TomoTherapy. It is not useful when there is no discrete target, such as breast cancer after lumpectomy. TomoTherapy has all of the capabilities of CyberKnife, but without the long treatments and limitations on target size.
Inova locations
TomoTherapy is available at Inova Fairfax Hospital Cancer Center. IMRT and IGRT are also available at Mary Elizabeth Miller Radiation Oncology Center at Inova Loudoun Hospital.
