Deep Inspiration breath hold (DIBH) is an advanced treatment technique used for treating mainly cancers of the breast and chestwall. Patients are instructed to breathe in and hold their breath, expanding the size of their lungs. This increases the distance between the breast/chestwall and the heart therefore reducing the radiation dose to the heart. At Mediclinic Airport Road, we utilize the
Varian RPM tracking device – this is a small cube that is placed on the patient’s abdomen. There are sensors on this cube that are detected by an infrared camera, which monitors the patients breathing. The treatment will only be administered when the patient is in the correct phase of breath.
The Radiation Oncologist will assess the suitability and benefits of using the DIBH technique on a case by case basis.