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MRI-Guided Radiation Therapy

Advanced radiation treatment with MRI-guided linear accelerator (MRI-LINAC)
For More Information
or to Refer a Patient:
404-300-2750

First in Georgia to Offer This Groundbreaking Cancer Treatment Option

Northside Hospital Cancer Institute always strives to be at the forefront of advanced cancer technology. In May of 2023 we became the first healthcare system in Georgia to install an MRI-guided linear accelerator (MRI-LINAC) which provides an innovative treatment option that can see and track soft tissue and tumors in real-time. 

What is MRI-guided radiation therapy? 

MRI-guided radiation therapy is a non-invasive radiation therapy that can image and treat cancer patients simultaneously. By combining high-strength magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a linear accelerator, the MRI-LINAC targets and tracks the position and shape of a patient’s tumor while radiation is delivered in real-time. This allows for enhanced precision and accuracy compared to conventional radiation therapy. 

What are the benefits of MRI-guided radiation therapy?

There are many benefits to treatment using the MRI-LINAC:
  • It locates, targets and tracks the position and shape of tumors while radiation is delivered.
  • Automated beam control - if the tumor moves slightly, the treatment will automatically pause until it comes back into position.
  • Reduced side effects - accurately align the tumor to the treatment beams and make adjustments to the treatment plan in real time to avoid damage to sensitive internal structures and healthy tissue.
  • Fewer treatments than with conventional radiation therapy.
  • Greater chance for an improved outcome.

Who is a candidate for MRI-guided radiation therapy?

MRI-guided radiation therapy may be a treatment option for patients with tumors near other major organs where limiting damage to healthy tissue is critical. Additionally, it is an option for tumors located in organs that move a lot, such as those in the chest and abdomen, which move as part of a patient’s normal breathing pattern and motion.

Since this groundbreaking therapy can target small tumors, it may be useful for patients whose cancer has spread to other regions of the body (metastasized), as well as retreating patients with radiation in areas where they have already received radiation therapy in the past (re-irradiation).

In order to be a candidate for MRI-guided radiation therapy, patients must be suitable for both MRI scanning technology and radiation therapy.

What cancer types does the MRI-LINAC treat? 

MRI-guided radiation therapy can treat several different types of cancer including:

Is there data to support that MRI-guided radiation offers an advantage over standard radiation? 

Yes, there are data to support MRI-guided radiation. The MIRAGE trial, which was a randomized Phase III clinical trial that ran from May 2020 to September 2021, strongly supports the advantage of MRI-guided radiation therapy over standard radiation. 156 patients with prostate cancer who were receiving stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) were randomly assigned to receive treatment with the MRI-LINAC, versus with a standard linear accelerator. The results of this trial, which were published in JAMA Oncology, January 12, 2023, indicate that MRI-guided SBRT allowed for tighter planning margins, thereby facilitating a reduction in both physician-reported and patient-reported bowel and bladder toxicities. 

For Patients

Our team of experienced radiation oncologists will determine if you are a potential candidate for MRI-guided radiation therapy or if you might be best suited for another therapy.

For more information about MRI-guided radiation therapy, please call 404-300-2750.