Intensity-modulated radiation therapy and image-guided radiation therapy: small clinic implementation.
In a small clinic with a small patient base, the implementation of IMRT/IGRT should be slow, measured, and meticulous. Most radiation oncologists in the United States have had no formal training in IMRT/IGRT because the modalities are so new. Proper patient selection and a team effort among the clinician, physicist, dosimetrist, and therapist are thus all the more critical. The clinician in the small clinic can take comfort in remembering that the technologies are new, but the principles of good radiation medicine are not. With patient selection, a team approach, and publication of data and maturation of the literature, IMRT/IGRT will become the new standard of care in academic centers, large private clinics, and small clinics alike.
Ting
Joseph Y
JY
Melbourne Internal Medicine Associates Cancer Center, Melbourne, FL 32901, and Department of Radiation Oncology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
Scarbrough
Todd J
TJ
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010315:Particle Accelerators / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging / Q000592:standards; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards