Advances in the planning and delivery of radiotherapy: New expectations, new standards of care

James A. Purdy

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

The practice of radiation therapy continues to build on rapid advancements in treatment planning and delivery technology, which brings real potential for improving treatment outcomes. Manufacturers have employed advanced computer and imaging technology to produce treatment planning/delivery systems capable of precise shaping of dose distributions, conformal target volume coverage for even the most complex shapes and conformal avoidance of specified sensitive normal structures. However, these new systems have led to a more complex, less intuitive planning and treatment delivery process that presents great challenges for quality assurance/treatment verification. Advances in planning and delivery technologies will continue to occur at record paces, pushing the field toward even higher expectations for radiotherapy accuracy, reliability and applicability and leading the field to new standards of care. However, this optimism must be tempered with the realizations that for this to happen, progress is urgently needed in 3 areas, (1) accuracy in specification of gross tumor volume and clinical target volume, (2) radiation oncology informatics and (3) quality assurance, if we are to keep pace with these rapid planning and delivery developments.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationIMRT, IGRT, SBRT
Subtitle of host publicationAdvances in the Treatment Planning and Delivery of Radiotherapy
EditorsJohn Meyer
Pages1-28
Number of pages28
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2011

Publication series

NameFrontiers of Radiation Therapy and Oncology
Volume43
ISSN (Print)0071-9676
ISSN (Electronic)1662-3789

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Advances in the planning and delivery of radiotherapy: New expectations, new standards of care'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this