-
What is MR-Linac?
-
Features and Advantages of MR-Linac
-
In Which Diseases is MR Linac Used?
-
How is MR Linac Used in Treatment?
-
Frequently Asked Questions
MR-Linac is an advanced medical device that combines magnetic resonance imaging (MR) and linear accelerator (Linac) technologies to provide real-time, high-precision imaging and radiotherapy in cancer treatment.
What is MR-Linac?
- MR (Magnetic Resonance): MR is an imaging method that provides high-resolution imaging of the body's internal structures. MR devices create detailed images of internal organs and tissues using strong magnetic fields and radio waves.
- Linac (Linear Accelerator): Linac is a radiotherapy device used in cancer treatment. It targets and destroys tumors by producing X-rays or electron beams.
- MR-Linac Combination: MR-Linac combines MR imaging with radiotherapy. This allows doctors to obtain real-time images of the tumor and surrounding healthy tissues during treatment. This integration makes treatment planning and application more precise and effective.
Features and Advantages of MR-Linac
MR-Linac provides real-time high-resolution imaging and precise radiotherapy, allowing more accurate targeting of tumors and preservation of healthy tissues. Some advantages of MR-Linac are as follows:
- Real-Time Imaging: MR-Linac offers the opportunity to continuously monitor the location and size of the tumor during treatment. This is very important in cases where the tumor is mobile or its size may change.
- More Precise Treatment: High-resolution MR imaging allows radiotherapy beams to be focused precisely on the tumor. This ensures less damage to healthy tissues.
- Treatment Planning: MR-Linac provides the opportunity for detailed planning before treatment. This can help achieve better results during treatment.
Reduced Side Effects: More precise treatment and reduced damage to healthy tissues can help minimize MR linac side effects after treatment.
In Which Diseases is MR Linac Used?
MR Linac is a device primarily used in cancer treatment, but it provides great advantages especially in the treatment of tumors in moving organs.
MR Linac can be used in the treatment of various types of cancer such as:
- Prostate cancer: Tumors in the prostate gland can be targeted more precisely with MR Linac.
- Rectal cancer: Tumors in the rectum can be treated without damaging surrounding tissues with MR Linac.
- Head and neck cancers: Tumors in this region can be better visualized with MR Linac and a more effective treatment plan can be created.
- Lung cancer: MR Linac can provide better results, especially for lung tumors that move during breathing.
- Liver cancer: Liver tumors can be treated more precisely with MR Linac.
How is MR Linac Used in Treatment?
The MR Linac device is a technology generally used in radiotherapy treatment. To provide detailed information about the treatment process:
General Steps in Using the Mr. Linac Device
1. Patient Evaluation and Planning
Diagnosis and Evaluation: The patient's condition is evaluated and treatment requirements are determined. MR Linac treatment is usually used for diseases such as cancer.
Imaging: Before the treatment plan is created, CT, MRI or PET scans are performed to correctly position the patient's internal organs and tumor.
Treatment Plan: The radiotherapist or physicist prepares a treatment plan for the MR Linac device according to the patient's anatomical structure and the location of the tumor. At this stage, the dose, treatment duration and beam angles are determined.
2. Preparation and Positioning
Positioning: The patient is ensured to be in the correct position on the treatment table. Special markers or immobilization devices are usually used.
Imaging Control: Additional imaging is performed before the treatment to verify that the patient is in the correct position. This increases accuracy during treatment.
3. Treatment Process
Irradiation: The MR Linac device delivers targeted radiation to the tumor using high-energy X-rays or electron beams. The device can direct the beams very precisely, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding tissues.
Dynamic Treatment: Some MR Linac devices can track the movement of the tumor and adjust the beams to keep them exactly on the tumor. This is especially effective for tumors that are mobile, such as those with respiratory movements.
4. Final Checks and Monitoring
Post-Treatment Monitoring: Once the treatment is complete, regular follow-ups are performed to monitor the patient's condition and check for any side effects.
Feedback and Adjustments: Data obtained during or after the treatment process allows the treatment plan to be adjusted if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
MR Linac devices are distinguished from traditional radiotherapy methods and other modern technologies by several important features.
What are the Features that Set MR Linac Apart from Similar Technologies?
MR Linac is a groundbreaking technology in cancer treatment. This device combines magnetic resonance imaging (MR) and radiotherapy, providing a more precise and safe treatment opportunity for tumors.
- Real-Time Imaging: MR Linac tracks the instantaneous location and movement of the tumor using high-resolution MR images during treatment.
- High Sensitivity: Thanks to MR imaging, tumors are more clearly distinguished from surrounding tissues.
- Flexibility in Treatment Planning: MR Linac offers more flexibility in treatment planning.
- Less Side Effects: Treatments performed with MR Linac cause fewer side effects than traditional radiotherapy. Because the radiation dose given to healthy tissues is significantly reduced.
What are the Differences Between MR Linac and Traditional Radiotherapy?
MR Linac differs from traditional radiotherapy with its real-time MRI imaging and dynamic dose adjustment capability, while traditional radiotherapy usually uses fixed CT imaging and planning.
- Imaging Technology: While conventional radiotherapy usually uses computed tomography (CT), MR imaging is used in MR Linac. MR determines the boundaries of tumors more clearly thanks to its better imaging feature of soft tissues.
- Imaging During Treatment: In conventional radiotherapy, the treatment plan is made in advance and is not updated during treatment. MR Linac, on the other hand, instantly adjusts the treatment plan by performing real-time imaging during treatment.
- Dose Distribution: It reduces the dose given to healthy tissues by directing radiation more precisely to the tumor. In conventional radiotherapy, radiation can spread over a wider area and healthy tissues can also be affected.
- Treatment Duration: Treatments may be shorter in some cases. However, this may not be the case for every patient. In summary, MR Linac offers a more sensitive, safer and more personalized treatment compared to conventional radiotherapy methods. It provides a great advantage especially in the treatment of tumors in moving organs. However, since each patient's condition is different, the treatment method should be evaluated by a doctor.
To get exact information about the MR Linac price, you need to contact the hospital's call center.
* Contents of this page is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The content of this page does not include information on medicinal health care at Liv Hospital .
