Glossary G to L
High-dose-rate remote afterloading machine
A medical device that allows radiation to be delivered into a patient’s body through catheters during brachytherapy.
Hyperfractionated radiation therapy
A type of radiation therapy in which the radiation doses are divided into smaller amounts (hyperfractionation) and patients undergo radiation treatment more than once a day.
Hypofractionated radiation therapy
A type of radiation therapy in which patients undergo one or just a few treatments.
Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
A new techonolgy to tract the psoition of the treatment area immediately before tratement is delivered.
Immobilization device
A device that is used to help a patient remain in the same position during every treatment.
Implants
Another term for brachytherapy, internal radiation therapy involves placing radioactive sources inside the patient close to or in the tumor.
Intensity modulated radiation therapy or IMRT
IMRT is a specialized form of external beam therapy that allows radiation to be shaped to fit your tumor.
Interstitial brachytherapy
A form of seed implant where the radioactive sources are placed directly into the tumor, such as the prostate.
Intracavity brachytherapy
A type of brachytherapy where the radioactive seeds are put into a space where the tumor is located, such as the cervix or windpipe.
Linear accelerator
The most common type of machine used to deliver external radiation therapy. Sometimes called a “linac.”