327 / 1096
S314
ESTRO 36
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
2
Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Radiation Medicine
Department, Toronto, Canada
Over the past two decades, radiation therapy treatment
has rapidly changed. Since 2000, Computed tomography
(CT) scans have been used for the definition and
delineation of target volumes by radiation oncologists.
Treatment planning platforms have advanced from 2D to
3D, as well as radiotherapy techniques from 2D
conventional approaches to 3D conformal radiotherapy
(3D-CRT). Moreover, in just one decade Intensity
Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) and rotational therapy
(Volumetric
Modulated
Arc
Therapy
(VMAT),
TomoTherapy) have made their appearance. CT
simulation is often accompanied by MR simulation or MR
fusion for radiotherapy planning purposes and over the
next few years, the use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
(MRI) accelerators will become more widespread providing
new insights and opportunities. Online megavoltage
and/or kilovoltage Imaging before and during radiation
treatment is allowing for localization of the target volume
to deliver the prescribed dose as accurately as possible.
Each step in the radiation treatment process, from CT to
treatment delivery needs to be precise, ensuring the
optimal treatment is achieved. In this debate we will
focus on this precision, discussing if we have found the
highest level of precision in radiation treatment.
Topics for debate will include:
-Modern planning and delivery systems have optimised
target coverage.
-Online Cone Beam CT/MR guidance has maximised
precision in the preparation of the radiation therapy
treatment
-MR/CT imaging during radiotherapy delivery has
optimised the precision and accuracy of radiation
treatment delivery
-The precision of highly conformal treatment techniques
has resulted in improved clinical outcomes with reduced
radiotherapy related side effects.