Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) - Medical Animation
This animation may only be used in support of a single legal proceeding and for no other purpose. Read our License Agreement for details. To license this image for other purposes, click here.
Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) - Medical Animation
MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: Your doctor may recommend intensity modulated radiation therapy, a procedure that treats certain forms of cancer to kill cancer cells or control their growth. The cells in the body grow and divide as part of the normal cell cycle. The cell's nucleus controls this process. Inside each nucleus genetic material called DNA contains the instructions for directing this process. Sometimes the cell's DNA becomes damaged. Normally the DNA responds by either repairing itself or instructing the cell to die. In cancer, however, the parts of the cell's DNA that direct cell division become damaged. When these sections are damaged the DNA is unable to repair itself. Instead the unrepaired DNA causes the cell to grow and divide uncontrollably into more damaged cells called cancer cells. A tumor forms as the cancer cells multiply and displace the normal cells. Radiation kills cancer cells by inflicting overwhelming damage to their DNA. The tumor shrinks as the cells stop dividing and die. If the tumor is in your head your radiation therapist may make a mesh frame or mask that will keep you positioned correctly during the IMRT. Or you will get small permanent tattoos to help align the IMRT. Next your therapist will do a CT scan of your head to get a detailed picture of your tumor and its borders. Your doctor will use the scans to specify the three-dimensional shape of your tumor and vital tissues nearby. The tumor's shape, size, type, and location help your doctor determine how the IMRT beam should be adjusted to hit your tumor and avoid healthy tissue. During your procedure a medical linear accelerator will deliver an x-ray beam to your tumor. A computer inside the accelerator will adjust the beam with a device called a collimator. The collimator will adjust or modulate the intensity, direction, and shape of the radiation beam. This feature allows higher doses of radiation to be delivered to your tumor while sparing your healthy tissue around it. You may receive many radiation treatments over days or weeks. This allows your body to recover between treatments and to kill as many cancer cells as possible. Side effects are usually mild and occur only in the treatment area. Common side effects include localized skin irritation, localized hair loss, or inflammation and swelling near the tumor location.
"I have found that the personalized medical illustrations prepared by Medical
Legal Art have been very accurate and helpful. The medical doctors, both
treating physicians and expert witnesses, have commented on the accuracy and
professionalism of the medical illustrations. Most importantly, your prompt
service and attention upon even short notice has been tremendous. I can
certainly say that the medical illustrations prepared by Medical Legal Art
have assisted us in bringing cases to a successful resolution."
Paul L. Redfearn
The Redfearn Law Firm, P.C.
Kansas City, MO
"For modern audiences, it is absolutely essential to use medical
demonstrative evidence to convey the severity and extent of physical
injuries to a jury. Your company's high quality illustrations of our
client's discectomy surgery, combined with strong expert testimony, allowed
the jury to fully appreciate the significance of our client's injuries.
We are very pleased with a verdict exceeding $297,000.00, far in excess of
the $20,000.00 initially offered by the defendant. The medical demonstrative
evidence provided by Medical Legal Art was an asset we could not have
afforded to have been without."
Todd J. Kenyon
Attorney at Law
Minneapolis, MN
"Medical illustrations are essential during trial for any medical malpractice case. The people at MLA have the uncanny ability of creating medical illustrations that simplify the most complex of medical concepts and human anatomy to a lay audience. The exhibits of MLA allow experts to easily describe complex concepts and human anatomy in a manner that could
not be done otherwise.
In addition, their custom illustrations show in great detail the extent of
injuries suffered and the devastating effects they have had on the client's
anatomy. These custom illustration can show, side by side, the body before
and after a catastrophic injury. The effect of this juxtaposition is
unmatched by any testimony that can be adduced at the time of trial.
Even jurors after trial have commented on the ease with which they grasp
medical concepts and anatomy once the MLA exhibits were introduced and
used by my experts. Even judges who have "seen it all" are thoroughly
impressed by the detail and sophistication of the illustrations.
Medical Legal Art creates medical demonstrative evidence (medical
illustrations, drawings, pictures, graphics, charts, medical animations,
anatomical models, and interactive presentations) for use during legal
proceedings, including research, demand letters, client conferences,
depositions, arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences, mock jury
trials and for use in the courtroom. We do not provide legal or medical
advice. If you have legal questions, you should find a lawyer with whom you
can discuss your case issues. If you have medical questions, you should seek the advice of a healthcare provider.