Development of an integrated radiotherapy network system.
OBJECTIVE
To introduce the process of developing an integrated radiotherapy network.


METHODS
We developed a new radiotherapy treatment-planning system in 1987 that we named the Computer Tomography (CT) simulator. CT images were immediately transported to multiimage monitors and to a planning computer, and treatment planning could be performed with the patient lying on the CT couch. The results of planning were used to guide a laser projector, and radiation fields were projected onto the skin of the patient. Since 1991, an integrated radiotherapy network system has been developed, which consists of a picture archiving and communicating system (PACS), a radiotherapy information database, a CT simulator, and a linear accelerator with a multileaf collimator.


RESULTS
Clinical experience has been accumulated in more than 1,000 patients. Based on our 7 years of experience, we have modified several components of our original CT simulator and have developed a second generation CT simulator. A standard protocol has been developed for communication between the CT scanner, treatment planning computer, and radiotherapy apparatus using the Ethernet network. As a result, treatment planning data can be transported to the linear accelerator within 1 min after completion of treatment planning.


CONCLUSIONS
This system enables us to make optimal use of CT information and to devise accurate three-dimensional (3D) treatment-planning programs. Our network also allows for the performance of fully computer-controlled dynamic arc conformal therapy.
Nagata
Y
Y
Department of Radiology, Kyoto University Hospital, Japan.
Okajima
K
K
Murata
R
R
Mitsumori
M
M
Mizowaki
T
T
Yamamoto
M
M
Hiraoka
M
M
Nishidai
T
T
Nakata
M
M
Abe
M
M
Sugahara
K
K
Arimura
H
H
Hosoba
M
M
Morisawa
H
H
Kazusa
C
C
Ai
D
D
Kokubo
M
M
D003195:Computer Communication Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D011873:Radiology Information Systems / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed