A 3-D ultrasound technique called B-mode acquisition and targeting (BAT) is being used by Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis to improve radiation therapy for prostate cancer. BAT helps radiation oncologists target the exact location of the treatment site.
Radiation oncologists have traditionally compensated for prostate position changes (up to a centimeter from day to day) by increasing the treatment field. This procedure ensures treatment for the entire prostate, but also increases the radiation exposure to nearby organs.
The BAT procedure utilizes 3-D ultrasound before each treatment session to eliminate the problem. And according to radiation oncologists at the facility, BAT allows access to some tumors that couldn’t previously be reached with radiation therapy.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writersDecember 29, 2000
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