IGRT: Image Guided Radiation Therapy and ExacTrac ® X-ray 6D

The Radiation Oncology Department at Stony Brook Medical Center recently acquired the state-of-the-art ExacTrac ® X-ray 6D System for Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT).  IGRT is a type of conformal radiation treatment guided by imaging techniques such as x-rays or CT scans taken within the treatment room just prior to treatment.

Systems equipped with IGRT allow clinicians to detect tumor volumes on a daily basis and automatically reposition a patient if necessary.  ExacTrac ® is an IGRT system that ensures daily setup consistency without prolonging treatment times.  High-resolution stereoscopic x-rays are acquired within the treatment room and compared to images taken for treatment planning to guarantee accurate patient setup.  Patients will have infrared markers placed on their skin to monitor position from the beginning to the end of treatment, ensuring millimeter precision.