DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2015.v03i06.011

Pages: 567-575

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) has been buzz word in radiotherapy technology for more than a decade. The technology as such, and their application, has been evolving significantly over this time and it is interesting to have an attempt at taking stock. Due to the increase in the utilization of IMRT over the last decade, the complexity of IMRT to plan and administer, and because at first, there was limited published clinical data, some have criticized IMRT as expensive medicine with uncertain benefit. This handout provides an overview of recent data related to the clinical effectiveness of IMRT and describes studies that are currently underway so the reader will understand the reasons for increased adoption of IMRT. A key question regarding IMRT is whether IMRT is cost effective. The cost is higher than other forms of RT, mostly due to increased physician and other staff time. The additional time spent in planning and delivering IMRT is now a necessary part of maintaining accuracy. Better cancer control occurs when higher doses of RT or better combinations of RT and chemotherapy are possible. This is supported by data in the treatment of head & neck, lung and prostate cancer.