What is MR Linac? The information on this page is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. This page does not include information about medicinal healthcare services at Liv Hospital.
What is MR-Linac?
MR (Magnetic Resonance): MR is an imaging technique that provides high-resolution views of the body's internal structures. MR devices use strong magnetic fields and radio waves to create detailed images of internal organs and tissues.
Linac (Linear Accelerator): A Linac is a device used in radiotherapy for cancer treatment. It delivers high-energy X-rays or electron beams that target and destroy tumors with precision.
MR-Linac Combination: The MR-Linac system combines magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with radiotherapy. This integration enables doctors to obtain real-time images of the tumor and surrounding healthy tissues during treatment, improving both precision and safety. As a result, treatment planning and delivery become significantly more accurate and effective.
Features and Advantages of MR-Linac
MR-Linac provides real-time, high-resolution imaging along with precise radiotherapy, enabling more accurate targeting of tumors and better preservation of healthy tissue. The key advantages of MR-Linac include:
Real-Time Imaging: MR-Linac provides the ability to continuously monitor the location and size of the tumor during treatment. This is especially important when the tumor is mobile or its size may change.
More Precise Treatment: High-resolution MR imaging enables radiotherapy beams to be focused accurately on the tumor, minimizing damage to healthy tissues.
Treatment Planning: MR-Linac allows for detailed and precise planning before treatment begins. This helps achieve more effective and successful outcomes during therapy.
Reduced Side Effects: The increased precision of MR Linac treatments, along with decreased damage to healthy tissues, can help minimize side effects following therapy.
In Which Diseases is MR Linac Used?
MR Linac is a device primarily used in cancer treatment, offering significant advantages, especially for treating tumors located in organs that move.
MR Linac can be used in the treatment of various types of cancer such as:
Prostate cancer: MR Linac technology enables more precise targeting of tumors within the prostate gland, improving treatment accuracy and minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
Rectal cancer: MR Linac technology enables the treatment of rectal tumors with high precision, minimizing harm to surrounding healthy tissues.
Head and neck cancers: Tumors in this region can be more clearly visualized with MR Linac, allowing for the creation of a more effective and precise treatment plan.
- Lung cancer: MR Linac can provide better results, especially for lung tumors that move during breathing.
Liver cancer: MR Linac technology allows liver tumors to be treated with greater precision.
How is MR Linac Used in Treatment?
The MR Linac device is primarily used in radiotherapy. Here is a detailed overview of how the treatment process works:
General Steps in Using the Mr. Linac Device
1. Patient Evaluation and Planning
Diagnosis and Evaluation: The patient's condition is assessed and specific treatment needs are identified. MR Linac therapy is most commonly used for conditions such as cancer.
Imaging: Before creating the treatment plan, CT, MRI, or PET scans are performed to accurately determine the position of the patient's internal organs and tumor.
Treatment Plan: The radiotherapist or physicist creates a treatment plan for the MR Linac device based on the patient's anatomical structure and the location of the tumor. At this stage, the radiation dose, treatment duration, and beam angles are determined.
2. Preparation and Positioning
Positioning: The patient is carefully placed in the correct position on the treatment table. Special markers or immobilization devices are typically used to help maintain the correct position throughout the procedure.
Imaging Control: Before treatment begins, additional imaging is performed to confirm that the patient is in the correct position. This ensures greater accuracy throughout the treatment process.
3. Treatment Process
Irradiation: The MR Linac device delivers targeted radiation to the tumor using high-energy X-rays or electron beams. By directing these beams with high precision, the device minimizes the risk of damage to the surrounding healthy tissues.
Dynamic Treatment: Some MR Linac devices can track tumor movement and automatically adjust the radiation beams to remain precisely focused on the tumor. This approach is especially effective for tumors that move, such as those affected by breathing.
4. Final Checks and Monitoring
Post-Treatment Monitoring: After treatment is completed, regular follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor the patient's condition and detect any potential side effects.
Feedback and Adjustments: Data collected during or after the treatment process is used to modify the treatment plan as needed.
MR Linac devices stand out from traditional radiotherapy methods and other modern technologies due to several key features.
For precise information about MR Linac pricing, please contact the hospital's call center directly.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Features that Set MR Linac Apart from Similar Technologies?
MR Linac is a revolutionary technology in cancer treatment. This device integrates magnetic resonance imaging (MR) with radiotherapy, allowing for more precise and safer treatment of tumors. By combining real-time, high-resolution imaging with targeted radiation therapy, MR Linac offers improved accuracy and better protection of healthy tissue during cancer treatment.
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Real-Time Imaging: MR Linac continuously tracks the precise location and movement of the tumor using high-resolution MRI images throughout treatment.
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High Sensitivity: MR imaging allows tumors to be distinguished more clearly from surrounding tissues, improving diagnostic accuracy.
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Increased Flexibility in Treatment Planning: MR Linac enables greater flexibility when developing treatment plans, allowing for more individualized and adaptive approaches.
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Fewer Side Effects: Treatments performed with MR Linac result in fewer side effects compared to traditional radiotherapy, as the radiation dose delivered to healthy tissues is significantly reduced.
What are the Differences Between MR Linac and Traditional Radiotherapy?
MR Linac differs from traditional radiotherapy by offering real-time MRI imaging and the ability to dynamically adjust the radiation dose during treatment. In contrast, traditional radiotherapy typically relies on fixed CT imaging and pre-set treatment plans, which are not updated during therapy.
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Imaging Technology: While conventional radiotherapy typically uses computed tomography (CT), MR-Linac utilizes magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MR imaging more clearly defines tumor boundaries because of its superior ability to visualize soft tissues.
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Imaging During Treatment: In conventional radiotherapy, the treatment plan is created in advance and remains unchanged throughout therapy. In contrast, MR Linac continuously updates the treatment plan by performing real-time imaging during the procedure, allowing instant adjustments as needed.
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Dose Distribution: MR Linac reduces the radiation dose delivered to healthy tissues by targeting the tumor more precisely. In conventional radiotherapy, radiation tends to spread over a wider area, which can result in healthy tissues being affected.
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Treatment Duration: In some cases, treatment sessions may be shorter; however, this can vary from patient to patient. In summary, MR Linac offers a more sensitive, safer, and more personalized treatment compared to conventional radiotherapy methods. It provides significant advantages, especially for treating tumors in organs that move. Nevertheless, because each patient's condition is unique, the treatment approach should always be evaluated by a doctor.