Described as a more precise variety of radiation, IMPRINT is delivered to one side of the chest only and the dose and radiated area can be targeted to a specific area to spare as much healthy tissue as possible.
Researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center reviewed the outcomes of patients who were treated with conventional radiation therapy between 1974 and 2015, and also looked at the outcomes of patients who were treated with IMPRINT in 2005. Patients in this study had one of three types of lung sparing surgery: extended pleurectomy and decortication, pleurectomy and decortication, or partial pleurectomy.
Ninety percent of patients who received IMPRINT were also treated with chemotherapy, whereas, chemotherapy was administered to just 11 percent of patients who received conventional radiotherapy.
Of the 209 patients, those who received IMPRINT survived a median of 20.2 months, versus 12.3 months for patients who underwent traditional therapy. However, data showed no difference in progression-free survival.
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Jodelle joined TriMed Media Group in 2016 as a senior writer, focusing on content for Radiology Business and Health Imaging. After receiving her master's from DePaul University, she worked as a news reporter and communications specialist.