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Measuring ERE with Gel Dosimeter

Radiotherapy treatment has continued to make huge progress especially after the introduction of MRI guidance systems. Although there are many advantages to this, there are unfortunately still obstacles that researchers are trying to understand more clearly such as the fact that in a high-field MR-linac, a strong magnetic field causes hot and cold dose spots which are better known as electron return effect (ERE). This specific phenomenon causes secondary electrons that enter a region of low density to be redirected back toward a high-density region that in turn creates larger dose into denser tissue. A scientific team has been experimenting with two Fricke gels to address this ERE issue. To learn more about this research, the article explains their process in the experiment and what research findings are showing to improve this issue in further radiotherapy treatments. 

Treating Cancer with External Beam Radiation

Cancer treatment has continued to evolve with new technology and knowledge on new innovative techniques to increase the effectiveness with fewer treatments needed. External beam radiation therapy is a form of treatment that aims radiation from a machine called a linear accelerator. The beam of radiation is aimed at a targeted area where tumor cells are found. This type of radiation therapy is a local treatment and treats the specific area in a person’s body such as lungs and not their entire body. There are several options when using external beam radiation therapy with all the same goal to deliver the highest dose of prescribed radiation to a tumor while protecting the surrounding tissue. Below each treatment type is explained more in detail.

3D conformal radiation therapy

This type of technique is a common option in radiation therapy in which it uses images from CT, MRI, and PET scans to create a precise plan for the treatment area. The process allows doctors to sculpt radiation beams to the shape of a tumor and often used in instances where the tumor is oddly shaped or if the tumor lies close to healthy tissue/ organs. The radiation beams can then be directed at the target from several angles as needed.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is an advanced type of 3-D conformal radiation therapy to treat cancer and noncancerous tumors. IMRT is used by multiple small photons and proton beams aimed at targeted tumor cells with varied, controlled intensity. During each treatment, the beam shape and the beam strength will continue to change to give higher doses to certain parts of the tumor as needed. Due to the greater level of accuracy, IMRT is a possible treatment option for patients that may have reached the maximum allowable dose from conventional radiation therapy with reoccurring tumors.

Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT)

Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) is a form of IMRT. What sets this type of treatment apart from IMRT is that it not only uses imaging scans before radiation sessions begin but also uses them during the actual radiation therapy session. Tumors can shift inside the body due to breathing or other body movements that can sometimes be hard to control. IGRT allows doctors to locate and track tumors during the procedure to deliver more precise radiation therapy. Technical adjustments can be made by the radiation oncologists when the tumor moves outside of the targeted area helping to limit radiation exposure that could damage healthy tissues nearby and decrease common radiation side effects.

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Linear Accelerators Market to Grow to $3.9 Billion by 2024

A new study has been released indicating a massive growth in the market for the linear accelerators for radiation around the world. Forecasts predict growth in the market to $3.9 billion by 2024, which is up from $2.5 billion in 2019. This growth spans across several applications, such as hospitals and clinics to research institutes medical schools. Many large companies will see this growth including Elekta and Siemens as well as Varian Medical Systems and ACCURAY.

The objectives for this research are vast but one, in particular, is to focus on key global Linear Accelerators for Radiation manufacturers to define, describe and analyze the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in the next few years.

Whether or not these key manufacturers will be unchanged the same come 2024 remains to be seen.

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Cancer Treatments Future with Proton Beam Therapy

Two of the most common cancer treatments on the market are the conventional forms of radiotherapy and chemotherapy but there are two other types that are making progress for more possibilities in the future called proton beam therapy and immunotherapy. Advancement in medical equipment that is becoming more readily available is making these options more of a reality for many patients seeking treatment. Proton beam therapy is like radiotherapy in which energy beams of particles are targeted on a patient in the area where the tumor is located but it differs by using protons instead of photons or x-rays. In current treatments, the use of the MR-Linac machines has been successfully able to locate the position of the tumor and increase the doses in treatment due to higher efficiency. Once the technology becomes available for proton beam therapy, healthcare is expecting to see a large decline of waiting times for treatments to be performed. Although it is expected to still take quite some time until this new treatment to be ready for the private healthcare and even public, when it is finally ready it gives great hopes for making cancer treatments easier, less costly, and more survivable.

To read more about proton beam therapy in a recent article, click here