Image-Guided Radition Therapy (IGRT)
Steps Involved in IVF:
Procedure Description
Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) is a highly advanced form of radiation therapy used primarily to treat cancerous tumors. It utilizes detailed imaging techniques to enhance the precision and accuracy of radiation treatment, ensuring that the radiation is delivered to the exact location of the tumor while sparing surrounding healthy tissue. By constantly monitoring the position of the tumor during the treatment process, IGRT minimizes the risk of damaging nearby organs, significantly improving patient outcomes.
The therapy begins with imaging technologies such as X-rays, CT scans, or MRI scans, which provide real-time pictures of the tumor's position. These images are taken before each session of radiation and often during the procedure itself. This allows doctors to adjust the radiation beam if the tumor has moved due to factors such as breathing, digestion, or natural body movements. This level of precision makes IGRT particularly effective for tumors located near sensitive structures or those prone to slight shifts in position.
IGRT is employed across a range of cancer types, including prostate cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer, and abdominal tumors. Its precision is a key feature that differentiates it from traditional radiation therapies. With the assistance of real-time imaging, clinicians can adjust the radiation treatment plan dynamically, targeting the tumor with millimeter precision, which is critical in ensuring the optimal dose reaches the malignancy without causing unnecessary damage to healthy tissues.
Procedure Duration
The overall duration of an IGRT treatment can vary significantly depending on the cancer type, the size of the tumor, and its location. Typically, each treatment session takes between 10 to 45 minutes. The process begins with a setup phase, during which the patient is positioned accurately on the treatment table. Special immobilization devices may be used to keep the patient in a steady position throughout the session.
Once positioned, the imaging scans are taken. This phase can take a few minutes and is critical to ensure that the tumor is accurately located before radiation delivery. Depending on the complexity of the case and the level of adjustments required, this imaging stage can lengthen the session slightly. After the imaging confirms the tumor’s position, the radiation therapy begins. The radiation delivery itself is a short process, typically lasting between 5 to 15 minutes, during which high-energy beams are directed precisely at the cancerous area.
IGRT is often delivered in multiple sessions over a period of weeks. The number of sessions, or fractions, is determined by the oncologist based on the tumor's characteristics. Typically, patients receive treatment 5 days a week for 5 to 7 weeks, although shorter regimens are sometimes possible for certain cancer types. After each session, there is no recovery time needed, and patients can usually resume their daily activities immediately. However, the full course of therapy may lead to cumulative fatigue, requiring some patients to rest more as treatment progresses.
Benefits
- Precision Targeting: IGRT allows for precise targeting of tumors, reducing the risk of radiation damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
- Improved Tumor Monitoring: Real-time imaging enables the continuous monitoring of the tumor during treatment, allowing for adjustments as necessary.
- Higher Treatment Accuracy: The ability to track tumor movements, such as those caused by breathing, ensures the radiation reaches the cancerous cells more effectively.
- Minimized Side Effects: By focusing radiation on the tumor and sparing healthy tissue, IGRT reduces common radiation therapy side effects like nausea, fatigue, and skin irritation.
- Applicability to Various Cancer Types: IGRT can be used for a wide range of cancers, including those in sensitive or difficult-to-reach areas.
Potential Destinations
1. United States
The U.S. is known for its advanced healthcare facilities, particularly in cancer treatment. Top medical centers throughout the country offer IGRT, combining cutting-edge technology with highly specialized oncologists. For medical tourists, cities such as New York, Houston, and Los Angeles are prominent hubs for advanced cancer therapies.
2. Germany
Germany is a leader in advanced radiation oncology, offering IGRT at several world-renowned cancer treatment centers. Known for its precision and technological advancements, Germany attracts patients seeking state-of-the-art treatment along with expert oncologists and comprehensive care programs.
3. Japan
In Asia, Japan is one of the frontrunners in high-tech cancer treatment. Japanese cancer centers provide access to IGRT with highly experienced radiation oncologists. Medical tourists often seek treatment in cities like Tokyo, where the medical infrastructure is world-class and treatments are delivered with the highest precision.
4. Turkey
Turkey has rapidly emerged as a popular destination for medical tourism due to its affordable yet high-quality healthcare services. Several hospitals in Istanbul and Ankara specialize in IGRT, providing cutting-edge radiation oncology services to international patients at competitive prices.
5. India
India offers a compelling combination of highly skilled professionals and affordable treatment. Major cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, and Delhi host specialized cancer hospitals that provide IGRT, catering to both domestic and international patients seeking advanced cancer treatment at a fraction of the cost compared to Western countries.
Risks & Considerations
- Tumor Movement: Although IGRT accounts for tumor movement during treatment, there is still a slight chance that the radiation may affect surrounding tissues if the tumor moves too much between imaging and treatment.
- Skin Irritation: Common side effects of radiation therapy, including IGRT, can include skin irritation or redness at the treatment site.
- Fatigue: Patients undergoing multiple radiation sessions over several weeks may experience increasing levels of fatigue.
- Cumulative Radiation Exposure: Prolonged treatment over several sessions can lead to the accumulation of radiation exposure, increasing the risk of secondary effects on healthy tissues.
- Not Suitable for All Tumors: While IGRT is highly effective for many cancers, it may not be suitable for certain tumor types, especially those that do not respond well to radiation therapy.
How to Choose the Right Doctor and Hospital
When selecting a doctor and hospital for IGRT, it is essential to consider several factors to ensure the best possible outcome. Start by researching the oncologist’s qualifications and experience in using IGRT. Ideally, the doctor should specialize in radiation oncology and have a proven track record in treating the specific type of cancer you are dealing with. Their experience with image-guided techniques, in particular, is a crucial factor to evaluate.
The hospital or treatment center should have a state-of-the-art radiation oncology department equipped with the latest IGRT technology. Look for facilities that have been accredited for their cancer treatment programs, as this often indicates a high standard of care and adherence to global best practices. Additionally, consider the hospital's approach to multidisciplinary care, where radiation oncologists, medical oncologists, and other specialists collaborate on treatment plans to provide comprehensive care.
To receive a free quote for this procedure please click on the link: https://www.medicaltourism.com/get-a-quote
Patients are advised to seek hospitals that are accredited by Global Healthcare and only work with medical tourism facilitators who are certified by Global Healthcare Accreditation or who have undergone certification from the Certified Medical Travel Professionals (CMTP). This ensures that the highest standards in the industry are met. GHA accredits the top hospitals in the world. These are the best hospitals in the world for quality and providing the best patient experience. Click the link to check out hospitals accredited by the Global Healthcare Accreditation: https://www.globalhealthcareaccreditation.com
Frequently Asked Questions
What actually happens during hyperstimulation of the ovaries?
The patient will take injectable FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) for eight to eleven days, depending on how long the follicles take to mature. This hormone is produced naturally in a woman’s body causing one egg to develop per cycle. Taking the injectable FSH causes several follicles to develop at once, at approximately the same rate. The development is monitored with vaginal ultrasounds and following the patient’s levels of estradiol and progesterone. FSH brand names include Repronex, Follistim, Menopur, Gonal-F and Bravelle. The patient injects herself daily.
What happens during egg retrieval?
When the follicles have developed enough to be harvested, the patient attends an appointment where she is anesthetized and prepared for the procedure. Next, the doctor uses an ultrasound probe to guide a needle through the vaginal wall and into the follicle of the ovary. The thin needle draws the follicle fluid, which is then examined by an embryologist to find the eggs. The whole process takes about 20 minutes.
What happens to the eggs?
In the next step, the harvested eggs are then fertilized. If the sperm from the potential father, or in some cases, anonymous donor, has normal functionality, the eggs and sperm are placed together in a dish with a nutrient fluid, then incubated overnight to fertilize normally. If the sperm functionality is suboptimal, an embryologist uses Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection to inject a single sperm into a single egg with an extremely precise glass needle. Once fertilization is complete, the embryos are assessed and prepared to be transferred to the patient’s uterus.
How are the embryos transferred back to the uterus?
The doctor and the patient will discuss the number of embryos to be transferred. The number of successfully fertilized eggs usually determines the number of eggs to be placed in the uterus. Embryos are transferred to the uterus with transabdominal ultrasound guidance. This process does not require anesthesia, but it can cause minor cervical or uterine discomfort. Following transfer, the patient is advised to take at least one days bed rest and two or three additional days of rest, then 10 to 12 days later, two pregnancy tests are scheduled to confirm success. Once two positive tests are completed, an obstetrical ultrasound is ordered to show the sac, fetal pole, yolk sac and fetal heart rate.
Embryoscope©
Built into this technology there is a microscope with a powerful camera that allows the uninterrupted monitoring of the embryo during its first hours of life. In this way, we can keep a close eye on the embryo, from the moment when the oocyte is inseminated and begins to divide into smaller and smaller cells, until it can be transferred to the uterus.
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Punta Mita Hospital
Mexico
Punta Mita Hospital - Genesis Cell
Mexico
