On Wednesday May 22, the University of Iowa used their new Elekta Unity MRI-Linac to treat its first patient. This achievement makes the Center of Excellence in Image Guided Radiation Therapy, the third center in the USA to use this device.

The MRI-Linac combines two machines in one unit: an Elekta Linac and a Philips 1.5T MRI. This allows the treatment team to adjust the treatment plan each day that the patient is treated; a process called adaptive radiation therapy. The MRI provides excellent detail of soft tissue anatomy allowing the team to adjust the treatment plan to fit tumors who size or position changes from day to da