Image-guided Radiation Therapy of Prostate Cancer: Simulation Methods, Evaluation Tools, and Optimization Techniques for Clinical Use

Over the last decade, interest in the use of imaging technologies during radiotherapy has increased dramatically as the need for minimizing geometric uncertainties during highly conformal radiation deliveries became apparent. Due to this, many innovative in-room imaging technologies for treatment guidance has been developed and translated in to daily clinical use. However, with this rise in interest has also sparked the need to evaluate and understand the optimal use of such technologies for cancer treatment. With a focus on prostate cancer as an example, this book therefore aims to provide the audience with systematic evaluation of various technologies used during radiotherapy for treatment guidance. Using modern evaluation tools such as deformable image registration, convolution, and radiobiologic indices, the potential benefits of in-room imaging technologies during radiotherapy is demonstrated. The analysis should help shed some light on the useful techniques and benefits of using new and exciting imaging technologies for radiation treatments of cancer.