Hospitals and cancer centers around the globe are raising the standard of healthcare with automated, high-precision Varian intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) technology. As a result of Internet research, many patients are now demanding SmartBeam™ IMRT treatment for themselves.

BRINGING INNOVATION TO INDIA
The Kailash Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in the western state of Gujarat, India, has been treating cancer patients for the past 25 years.
D. Elangovan, MD, chief physicist at the hospital, says IMRT has been one of the greatest advances in radiotherapy. IMRT significantly enhances precision compared to its predecessor, 3D conformal radiation therapy, by segmenting a tumor into hundreds of treatment fields—enabling different doses to be delivered to different parts of the treatment area. The Varian platform provides fast, integrated information management and image processing to help simplify the complex treatment planning that SmartBeam IMRT requires.

“We have used IMRT to treat 52 patients so far—cases ranging from brain cancer to prostate and, more recently, pancreatic cancer,” Dr. Elangovan explains. “IMRT has enabled us to give higher doses without the complications and side effects we saw in the past.” For example, 3D conformal radiation therapy delivered a uniform dose across the entire treatment field, typically requiring manual delivery and slow, “trial-and-error” planning.

Pancreatic cancer patient Mayank Dholakiya was told by his surgeon that his tumor was inoperable because it was too close to critical organs and arteries. However, Dr. Elangovan and Dr. Vivek Bansal, chief physician and head of radiation oncology, devised a treatment plan that combined IMRT with chemotherapy to shrink the tumor for surgical removal. “The challenge was accounting for tumor motion in the abdomen during radiation therapy,” Dr. Bansal explains. “Using IMRT, we were able to contour the dose and instruct Mr. Dholakiya to hold his breath for 15-second periods during treatment.”

Dholakiya, a local educator, was relieved to hear that IMRT offered him a chance against this typically fatal disease. “The doctors at Kailash told me this is one of the most patient-friendly treatments available,” says Dholakiya, who feels positive about his chances. “Overall, I feel much better in myself. I know I’m going to win.”

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