Total body irradiation (TBI) has been used as a form of systemic therapy for the treatment of hematological malignancies and as a pre-conditioning regimen prior to bone marrow transplant. However, standard techniques are associated with both acute and chronic toxicities due to the large volumes of normal tissue irradiated. Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), with its ability to conform the high dose region to the shape of the target, offers a method to reduce radiation related sequelae and potentially allow for the delivery of higher than conventional doses. The goal of this study is to investigate the feasibility of a linac-based approach to intensity modulated total marrow irradiation (IM-TMI) and to discuss the challenges associated with its clinical implementation. The successful development of linac-based IM-TMI would represent advancement in the field of radiotherapy and potentially reduce the incidence and severity of complications associated with current TBI techniques.

Key words: Intensity modulated total bone marrow irradiation (IM-TMI); Total body irradiation (TBI); linac based IM-TMI; and active bone marrow.