Understanding Respiratory Gating in Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy is a highly effective treatment for many cancers, but delivering the right dose of radiation to a tumour while avoiding healthy tissue can be difficult, particularly when a tumour moves as you breathe. This is where respiratory gating comes in.
If you or a loved one is being treated for lung, liver, breast, or other cancers, knowing how this system works can make you feel more knowledgeable and empowered about your care.
In this blog post, we’ll define respiratory gating, discuss its significance, and talk about what to expect when you get treated.
What is Respiratory Gating?
Respiratory gating is a specialised technique for delivering radiation that matches a person’s natural breathing pattern. Tumours on the chest, abdomen, and breast move as we breathe; this technique means the X-ray beam will hit the tumour at its most vulnerable moment.
How It Works
- One of the body monitors (such as a belt, camera, or breath-holding set-up) monitors breathing in real-time.
- The radiation machine is set to release radiation only at certain points in the breathing cycle (when the tumour is in the right place).
- This reduces the exposure of surrounding healthy tissues unnecessarily.
Why is Respiratory Gating Important?
Tumour Movement During Breathing
- Organs including the lungs, liver, and even the breast jostle ever so slightly with each breath. Without respiratory gating, there is a risk that a beam will miss the tumour and hit surrounding healthy tissues.
Accurate Targeting
- Radiation oncologists can ensure more accuracy by adjusting beam timing to match the tumour position by monitoring breathing.
Safeguarding Healthy Tissue
- Long-term results are enhanced, and negative effects are decreased by limiting radiation exposure to the heart, lungs, and other vital organs.
When is Respiratory Gating Used?
Gating is particularly helpful for tumours in regions subject to respiratory motion, such as:
- Chest: Lung cancer, oesophageal cancer
- Abdomen: Liver tumours, pancreatic cancer
- Breast: Particularly left-sided breast cancer (to minimise heart exposure)
Benefits of Respiratory Gating
- Improved Treatment Precision – Radiation hits the tumour with maximum accuracy.
- Better Results & Fewer Side Effects – Lessens injury to healthy tissues.
- Personalised Radiation Delivery – Adjusts to your breathing pattern.
What to Expect During Treatment
The Setup
- Your medical team will strap on a breath-monitoring device—it could be a belt or reflective markers—before treatment starts. You could even try some breath-holding exercises if necessary.
The Procedure
- The equipment will track your breathing as you lie comfortably on the treatment table.
- The radiation beam will automatically turn on and off at the right breathing phase.
- Each treatment is painless and takes as little as 15 to 30 minutes.
Comfort and Safety
- The application of respiratory gating is completely non-invasive, and your team will make sure you’re comfortable and in the correct position at all times.
Is Respiratory Gating Right for You?
Not all patients need to undergo respiratory gating—this will depend on:
- Tumour location and movement
- Your breathing pattern
- Overall treatment plan
Conclusion
One game-changer in radiation therapy is a technique called respiratory gating, which gives a much more accurate, less toxic, and better outcome for patients who have tumours that move. If you’re going through radiation treatment, you may be interested in talking to your specialist about this option, because it can have a big impact on your care.
Would you like to find out if respiratory gating is suitable for your case? Schedule an appointment with our skilled radiation oncology team at Chase Lodge Hospital today.
