Onkológia 2/2016

Image guided brachytherapy

Significant advances in imaging and information technologies, their availability and fast data processing, led to utilize the 3D images data sets as a basis for the brachytherapy planning process. The precise definition of the tumor and organs at risk and consequently the volumetric optimization of the treatment plan already belongs to the standards in brachytherapy, in order to increase the efficiency of radiation therapy. The article discusses the use of different imaging modalities in the process of brachytherapy planning, outlines the advantages, disadvantages and pitfalls of the various procedures.

Keywords: image guided brachytherapy, 3D brachytherapy planning, image guided adaptive brachytherapy, online planning