Premium
The evolution of brachytherapy treatment planning
Author(s) -
Rivard Mark J.,
Venselaar Jack L. M.,
Beaulieu Luc
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
medical physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.473
H-Index - 180
eISSN - 2473-4209
pISSN - 0094-2405
DOI - 10.1118/1.3125136
Subject(s) - brachytherapy , radiation treatment planning , medical physics , formalism (music) , monte carlo method , computer science , radiobiology , dosimetry , medical physicist , physics , medicine , nuclear medicine , radiology , radiation therapy , mathematics , art , musical , statistics , visual arts
Brachytherapy is a mature treatment modality that has benefited from technological advances. Treatment planning has advanced from simple lookup tables to complex, computer‐based dose‐calculation algorithms. The current approach is based on the AAPM TG‐43 formalism with recent advances in acquiring single‐source dose distributions. However, this formalism has clinically relevant limitations for calculating patient dose. Dose‐calculation algorithms are being developed based on Monte Carlo methods, collapsed cone, and solving the linear Boltzmann transport equation. In addition to improved dose‐calculation tools, planning systems and brachytherapy treatment planning will account for material heterogeneities, scatter conditions, radiobiology, and image guidance. The AAPM, ESTRO, and other professional societies are working to coordinate clinical integration of these advancements. This Vision 20/20 article provides insight into these endeavors.