History of Technological Advancements towards MR-Linac: The Future of Image-Guided Radiotherapy

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) enables optimal tumor targeting and sparing of organs-at-risk, which ultimately results in improved outcomes for patients. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revolutionized diagnostic imaging with its superior soft tissue contrast, high spatiotemporal resolution, and freedom from ionizing radiation exposure. Over the past few years there has been burgeoning interest in MR-guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) to overcome current challenges in X-ray-based IGRT, including but not limited to, suboptimal soft tissue contrast, lack of efficient daily adaptation, and incremental exposure to ionizing radiation. In this review, we present an overview of the technologic advancements in IGRT that led to MRI-linear accelerator (MRL) integration. Our report is organized in three parts: (1) a historical timeline tracing the origins of radiotherapy and evolution of IGRT, (2) currently available MRL technology, and (3) future directions and aspirations for MRL applications.

Original languageEnglish
Article number4730
JournalJournal of Clinical Medicine
Volume11
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2022

Keywords

  • IGRT
  • MRgRT
  • adaptive therapy
  • image-guided radiotherapy
  • linear accelerator
  • magnetic resonance
  • radiotherapy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'History of Technological Advancements towards MR-Linac: The Future of Image-Guided Radiotherapy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this