3D/Conformal Radiation Therapy
The Department of Radiation Oncology at Duke University provides state of the art conformal/precision radiation therapy (also known as 3D Radiation Therapy Treatment Planning) for tumors throughout the body. Through the use of modern tumor imaging and advanced software tools, the physicians at Duke University are able to focus the radiation beam on the target structures, thereby minimizing incidental irradiation of adjacent nontarget structures. This approach generally makes external beam radiation therapy both more efficacious and less toxic.
The radiation oncology team at Duke University has extensive experience with conformal radiation therapy, having treated over 800 patients with this technology over the last 6 years. Conformal radiation therapy is used extensively for patients needing treatment for cancers of the prostate, lung, head and neck, gastrointestinal tract, brain, and extremity sarcomas.
Conformal radiation therapy utilizes imaging and computer software tools to help the physician better design radiation treatment beams. The procedure involves the fabrication of an immobilization device to be used during treatment planning and treatment. Three-dimensional imaging (such as computed tomography) is done with the patient in the immobilization device and the patient goes home. The physician then plans treatment beams on the images. Once appropriate beams are designed, the patient returns to the radiation department (generally one week following the initial scan) for a confirmation "physical simulation", followed by the initiation of treatment.
DUKE UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
DUKEHEALTH.ORG 
radonc.duke.edu 
