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Adaptive Radiation Therapy: Combining MRI- and CT-Guided Treatment
Transformative Adaptive Therapy for Cancer Treatment
Adaptive radiation therapy is the newest cancer treatment, designed to provide personalized cancer care quickly, safely, accurately, and comfortably.
Here, at Henry Ford Health, we offer a revolutionary new cancer treatment delivery system that harnesses the power of Artificial Intelligence driven, CT-guided, adaptive radiation therapy to provide highly advanced, precise, and personalized cancer care to our patients.
This state-of-the-art technology provides us with the ability to manage and adapt your radiotherapy treatment in real-time to better target the tumor. This technology is strengthening our ability to help you beat cancer. We are proud to offer this world-class cancer treatment to patients in our care, and in your neighborhood.
Newly diagnosed?
How it works
The system uses a cone beam CT (CBCT) with a new imager and detector panel, producing higher-quality images. Other benefits for our patients include lower doses of radiation, and shorter time needed to take images.
This technology is a cutting-edge radiotherapy solution that leverages the fastest on-table imaging in the field integrated with artificial intelligence to provide more precise treatments.
Unlike traditional radiotherapy, in which a treatment plan is established at the beginning and then followed throughout the treatment course, adaptive radiotherapy allows for modifications to the plan based on periodic assessments.
By leveraging the power of artificial intelligence to capture and analyze rapid images in real time, this system can quickly detect changes in tumor size, shape or position. Using this real-time imaging data, the system can automatically generate an optimized treatment plan.
How does adaptive radiation therapy work?
As you go through treatment, your anatomy can change; tumors can shrink; and healthy tissue and organs can move and shift in relation to your tumor’s location. Using advanced technologies, Ethos therapy identifies these changes and allows us to make adjustments to your plan during treatment—typically within a 15-minute timeslot from start to finish.
The key to this highly personalized treatment lies in the ability to leverage many different images taken by your care team in order to make more informed treatment decisions. These varied, high-quality images provide a comprehensive and current view of your anatomy, enabling us to adjust your treatment plan to better target the cancer.
Advantages of adaptive radiation therapy
Our adaptive radiation system is the innovative cancer-fighting solution that truly puts you at the center of our care. At Henry Ford, our team has the advanced capabilities to constantly evaluate and adapt your treatment plan based on how you respond to treatment and how your body changes throughout your course of care. In fact, what used to take two to three days, now can be accomplished in a typical 15-minute timeframe, from patient setup all the way through treatment delivery. Adaptive radiation therapy is:
- NONINVASIVE: Our technology is designed to deliver precise noninvasive treatment that requires no incisions or surgery and no post-surgery recovery period.
- FAST: We can deliver highly accurate treatments in a typical 15-minute time slot from start to finish. Shorter treatment time means you can get back to your daily routine sooner.
- PERSONALIZED: Enabled by its extensive planning and precise contouring capabilities, adaptive radiation therapy can map out the anatomy, target the location of the tumor, and optimize treatment plans in real time. This advanced capability allows us to make decisions based on your specific needs while you are on the treatment couch.
- COMFORTABLE: With its wide bore, quiet motors, and integrated camera and intercom system, our system is designed to provide a positive experience in a reassuring and safe environment.
What can I expect during treatment?
Although your treatment process may vary, the following should give you a general idea of what to expect:
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Tumor visualizationImaging is important in order to visualize the tumor, the surrounding organs, and your anatomy. High-quality, detailed images help us determine the exact size, shape, and location of the tumor in your body and accurately target it. The information gleaned from the images helps us determine the appropriate dose of radiation and how to deliver it most effectively.
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Treatment planningEach treatment plan is personalized to your specific needs and specifies the amount of radiation the cancer cells should receive and from which angles. A schedule for treatment will also be developed during this phase.
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Treatment delivery
When it’s time for treatment, your radiation therapist will help position you on the treatment table and make sure you’re comfortable. Just prior to treatment, images will be taken to allow your care team to verify the tumor’s exact size and location. Your treatment will begin once any relevant adjustments are made to your treatment plan.
The radiation is delivered by a machine called a linear accelerator (linac), which rotates around you as it projects the beam.
You will be in constant contact with your therapist through the integrated camera system and two-way intercom.
Follow-up care
After your treatment, you’ll see your doctor for follow-up care. During this time, he or she will monitor your progress. Take this opportunity to ask your doctor any questions about your treatments, the status of your health, and any side affects you may be experiencing.
We’re here for you.
Every patient deserves access to the latest, high-quality, personalized cancer care available. At Henry Ford Cancer, we believe that adaptive therapy is the future of highly personalized radiation therapy and we are excited and proud to be one of the first centers to begin delivering this advanced form of cancer treatment to patients in our care.