Modern Radiation Therapy Planning and Delivery

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2019

Publication Title

Hematology/oncology clinics of North America

Abstract

Modern radiation therapy treatment planning and delivery is a complex process that relies on advanced imaging and computing technology as well as expertise from the medical team. The process begins with simulation imaging, in which three-dimensional computed tomography images (or magnetic resonance images in some cases) are used to characterize the patient anatomy. From there, the radiation oncologist delineates the relevant target/tumor volumes and normal tissue and communicates the goals for treatment planning. The planning process attempts to generate a radiation therapy treatment plan that will deliver a therapeutic dose of radiation to the tumor while sparing nearby normal tissue.

Medical Subject Headings

Humans; Image Processing; Computer-Assisted/methods; Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging/radiotherapy; Organs at Risk/radiation effects; Radiometry/methods; Radiotherapy Dosage; Radiotherapy Planning; Computer-Assisted/methods; Radiotherapy; Intensity-Modulated/methods; Tomography; X-Ray Computed/methods; Tumor Burden; Image-guided radiation therapy; Intensity-modulated radiation therapy; MRI-guided radiation therapy; Radiation therapy; Treatment planning; Volumetric-modulated radiation therapy

PubMed ID

31668213

Volume

33

Issue

6

First Page

947

Last Page

962

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