Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT)

Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), commercially known as RapidArc, represents a major evolutionary step from fixed-field IMRT. Instead of delivering radiation from a few static angles, VMAT delivers the dose in a continuous, rotational sweep of the machine's gantry around the patient.

The VMAT Advantage

During a VMAT sweep, three parameters are constantly modulated in unison: the speed of the rotating gantry, the shape of the multileaf collimator leaves, and the dose rate of the radiation beam. This allows for exceptionally conformal dose distributions that can be delivered in a fraction of the time required by traditional methods.

Speed and Comfort

A standard IMRT session might take 15 to 20 minutes of treatment couch time. VMAT can deliver the equivalent (or superior) dose plan in just 2 to 3 minutes. Reducing the time the patient must remain perfectly still on the couch significantly lowers the risk of patient movement during the treatment, further increasing overall accuracy.