Abstract: Over the past decade, radiation oncology has undergone rapid shifts in both treatment planning and delivery. Two-dimensional or fluoroscopic images for treatment planning have since been replaced by CT-based plans. This has in turn led to radiation being delivered to more defined regions using three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), with dynamic movement of treatment fields and blocks. The increased precision of the radiation treatments has demanded that the radiation oncologist accurately define the region of treatment in order to prevent undertreatment of cancer-involving sites. Such precision has relied on the use of high-quality anatomic imaging. More recently, functional imaging, such as positron emission tomography (PET), has played an increasing role in target delineation. In the first edition of their book, PET-CT in Radiotherapy Treatment Planning, Drs. Paulino and Teh attempt to cover what is "currently known and not known" (p. vii) about the integration of PET imaging into radiation planning. The importance of using PET imaging and other resources to accurately delineate radiation targets cannot be understated, as "target definition remains the limiting factor in the process of radiation therapy" (p.52).
Publication Year: 2010
Publication Date: 2010-05-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 1
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