Tomotherapy is used to treat several cancers in different stages. The different types of cancers that can be treated using tomotherapy are:

• Prostate cancer
• Lung cancer
• Brain cancer
• Breast cancer
• Head and neck cancer
• Spinal cord cancer

1. Physical examination: The symptoms and medical history of the patient are evaluated by the doctor.
2. Imaging tests: CT scans, PET scans, and MRI scans are the different types of imaging tests that may be performed before the procedure to create a clear picture of the tumor in a three-dimensional view and to plan the procedure.
3. Endoscopy: An endoscope (a thin tube with a light and camera on one end) is used by the doctor for the examination of an organ internally. 
4. Blood tests: They help in the diagnosis of certain underlying medical conditions.
5. Biopsy: The doctor will surgically remove the tissue growth and send it to the laboratory for evaluation.

• You will first be told to lie down on the treatment table. Your position may be changed from session to session, depending on the location and shape of the tumor.
• Before the radiation therapy is started, a 3D image of the treatment area is obtained using a CT scan.
• The CT scan helps in shaping the radiation beams according to the location, size, and shape of the tumor on that particular day.
• A thin beam of radiation is then made to rotate around the patient’s body and then enter the body from different directions to kill the tumor cells.
• A machine called a linear accelerator or LINAC machine is used to deliver the radiation beams. It helps in the delivery of the radiation beams from any point on a 360° circle around the body and precisely sculpts the radiation around the tumor, thus targeting the tumor and causing minimal damage to the surrounding healthy tissues.
• A computer processor monitors the delivery of the radiation beams at a pre-determined intensity, at any given point in time.
• The procedure is painless and each treatment session takes about 10 to 20 minutes to complete.

The complications associated with tomotherapy are:

• Skin irritation
• Skin rashes
• Loss of appetite
• Dry mouth, throat, and eyes
• Nausea
• Headache 
• Fatigue
• Hair loss in the treatment area
• Risk of developing secondary cancer (rare)

• The procedure is an outpatient procedure, which means that you can go home on the same day after treatment.
• You can resume your daily activities on the same or the next day after the treatment.
• It is normal to feel fatigued for four to six weeks following the last radiation therapy session.
• The number of treatment sessions needed will vary depending on the type and site of the tumor. Normally, the treatment sessions may include five sessions a week, for one to eight weeks.
• Regular follow-ups and imaging tests like CT scans are recommended to check if the tumor has been eliminated completely removed after treatment and also check for any recurrence of cancer.

Home remedies:

1. Get plenty of rest and practice a good sleep routine after a treatment session.
2. Eat a well-balanced and healthy diet.
3. Avoid direct exposure of the skin in the treated area to the sun. 
4. Wear loose-fitting clothes, especially over the treatment area.
5. Avoid exposure of the treatment area to extreme heat or cold.

Benefits:

The advantages of tomotherapy include:

• Real-time imaging of tumors helps in treatment planning
• Radiation targeted accurately according to the tumor shape
• High-dose radiation delivery causing increased treatment effectiveness
• Less damage to the surrounding healthy tissues and organs
• Flexible treatment that can target complex, multiple, and sensitive brain areas
• Limits other unnecessary medical treatments 
• Can treat tumors located near the vital organs or difficult to approach
• Can treat many tumors simultaneously at one time

Cost of Tomotherapy in India- 

The cost of tomotherapy in Mumbai is between INR 3,00,000 to INR 5,00,000.
The cost of tomotherapy in Delhi is between INR 2,75,000 to INR 4,50,000.
The cost of tomotherapy in Bangalore is between INR 2,75,000 to INR 4,50,000.
The cost of tomotherapy in Chennai is between INR 2,50,000 to INR 4,00,000.