Inverse planning algorithms for external beam radiation therapy Journal Article
| Authors: | Chui, C. S.; Spirou, S. V. |
| Article Title: | Inverse planning algorithms for external beam radiation therapy |
| Abstract: | Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a new treatment technique that has the potential to produce superior dose distributions to those of conventional techniques. An important step in IMRT is inverse planning, or optimization. This is a process by which the optimum intensity distribution is determined by minimizing (or maximizing) an objective function. For radiation therapy, the objective function is used to describe the clinical goals, which can be expressed in terms of dose and dose/volume requirements, or in terms of biological indices. There are 2 types of search algorithms, stochastic and deterministic. Typical algorithms that are currently in use are presented. For clinical implementations, other issues are also discussed, such as global minimum vs. local minima, dose uniformity in the target and sparing of normal tissues, smoothing of the intensity profile, and skin flash. To illustrate the advantages of IMRT, clinical examples for the treatment of the prostate, nasopharynx, and breast are presented. IMRT is an emerging technique that has shown encouraging results thus far. However, the technique is still in its infancy and more research and improvements are needed. For example, the effects of treatment uncertainties on the planning and delivery of IMRT requires further study. As with any new technology, IMRT should be used with great caution. Copyright © 2001 American Association of Medical Dosimetrists. |
| Keywords: | intensity modulated radiation therapy; treatment planning; cancer radiotherapy; radiation dose; statistics; breast; radiotherapy; breast neoplasms; algorithms; prostatic neoplasms; skin; prostate; algorithm; radiation beam; nasopharyngeal neoplasms; radiation dose distribution; technique; intensity-modulated radiation therapy; nasopharynx; optimization; organ; beam therapy; inverse planning; humans; male; female; priority journal; article |
| Journal Title: | Medical Dosimetry |
| Volume: | 26 |
| Issue: | 2 |
| ISSN: | 0958-3947 |
| Publisher: | Elsevier Science, Inc. |
| Date Published: | 2001-01-01 |
| Start Page: | 189 |
| End Page: | 197 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1016/s0958-3947(01)00069-3 |
| PUBMED: | 11444521 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | The publisher's record lists the publication date as Summer -- Export Date: 21 May 2015 -- Source: Scopus |
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