IMRT treatments provide better conformity compared to which other treatment method?

Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is specifically designed to improve the dose distribution of radiation therapy by utilizing multiple small beams with different intensities. This advanced technique allows for a higher dose of radiation to be targeted directly at the tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues.

When comparing IMRT to 3D Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D CRT), the conformity of the radiation dose around the tumor is significantly enhanced with IMRT. 3D CRT, while a step forward from traditional methods, typically uses a limited number of radiation beams and uniform intensities, which can lead to less precise targeting of the tumor and higher radiation exposure to adjacent healthy organs.

Therefore, IMRT's ability to modulate the intensity of each beam and shape the radiation dose to conform precisely to the tumor's three-dimensional shape makes it a superior option compared to 3D CRT in terms of treatment conformity and sparing normal tissues. This improved targeting ability allows for better treatment outcomes in many cases.