Organ motion in image-guided radiotherapy: lessons from real-time tumor-tracking radiotherapy

Int J Clin Oncol. 2007 Feb;12(1):8-16. doi: 10.1007/s10147-006-0633-y. Epub 2007 Feb 25.

Abstract

External radiotherapy using imaging technology for patient setup is often called image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT). The most important problem to solve in IGRT is organ motion. Four-dimensional radiotherapy (4DRT), in which the accuracy of localization is improved - not only in space but also in time - in comparison to 3DRT, is required in IGRT. Real-time tumor-tracking radiotherapy (RTRT) has been shown to be feasible for performing 4DRT with the aid of a fiducial marker near the tumor. Lung, liver, prostate, spinal/paraspinal, gynecological, head and neck, esophagus, and pancreas tumors are now ready for dose escalation studies using RTRT.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / classification
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Japan
  • Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Radiotherapy, Computer-Assisted* / classification
  • Radiotherapy, Computer-Assisted* / methods