VMAT- Volumetric modulated arc therapy

The doctor may recommend the following diagnostic tests before a VMAT procedure:

1. Physical examination: The doctor evaluates the physical health, symptoms, and medical history of the patient.
2. Imaging tests: CT scans, MRI scans, and PET scans are the different types of imaging tests that help in obtaining a clear image of the tumor in a three-dimensional view and aid the doctor in planning the procedure in a better manner.
3. Endoscopy: An endoscope (a tube with a camera on one end) is used by the doctor to view the suspected cancerous organ internally.
4. Blood tests: Certain medical conditions can be evaluated using blood tests.
5. Biopsy: The doctor will surgically remove the suspected tissue growth and send it to the laboratory to check for the presence of cancer cells and the type of cancer cells that may be present.

1. The patient first lies down on the radiation therapy bed in a treatment position determined during simulation.
2. The marks made by the doctor and CT scans are useful in confirming the correct position of the patient.
3. The doctor will then leave the room and go to an adjacent room to monitor the patient. The patient can interact with the doctor during the treatment procedure via a microphone.
4. The linear accelerator (radiation machine) now rotates around the body and delivers focused radiation beams to the tumor in uninterrupted arcs.
5. As the radiation machine rotates around the body, the shape and intensity of the radiation beams are changed continuously to fit closely to the tumor shape that is being treated.
6. This method will ensure that a minimum amount of radiation gets delivered to the surrounding healthy tissues while increasing the quantity of radiation being provided to cancer.
7. The patient will be able to see and hear the machine moving around him/her. However, the patient does not feel anything during the procedure.
8. The radiation therapy procedure will take only approximately two to four minutes. But, the entire treatment session, including the simulation procedure done before the radiation therapy, takes approximately twenty to sixty minutes.

VMAT may be associated with the following different side effects:

• Hair loss in the treatment area
• Skin irritation in the treatment area
• Soreness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Swelling 
• Fatigue 

The side effects are usually mild and resolve within three to four weeks of treatment.

• The patient can normally go home immediately after a VMAT session.
• VMAT does not make the patient radioactive either during or after the treatment. Hence, the patient can be near pregnant women, children, and others after treatment.
• Skin irritation and fatigue may be noticed in certain patients after a couple of treatment sessions.
• The patient needs to visit the doctor for regular follow-ups after the treatment. The patient will undergo a physical examination, blood tests, and certain imaging tests during the follow-up sessions to check if the cancer has been eradicated completely, or if additional treatment is required.
• Even if cancer has been cured completely, the patient should still undergo regular follow-ups to check if cancer has recurred.