[Intensity modulated radiation therapy]

Intensity modulated radiation therapy enables to increase the dose delivered to the target volume while avoiding the irradiation of organs at risk and normal tissues. Indications of such technique are mainly proposed in the treatment of prostatic carcinoma, head and neck cancers and gyneacological pelvic malignancies. The different mandatory steps for implementing these treatments require rigorous quality assurance program in order to validate indications, definitions of target volumes and constraints to be respected for normal tissues. Nowadays its efficiency and results are well-known for high dose irradiation of prostatic cancer and to prevent xerostomia in patients treated for head and neck cancers. The training of the whole team involved in the implementation of these treatments is required. It is a basic requirement to treat an increasing number of patients who will benefit from this technological improvement.