title: Criteria for the evaluation of treatment planning systems.
abstract: Radiation treatment planning systems (RTPS) are evolving on a rapid and continual basis. After the evaluation of several commercial systems, we have developed a list of features we consider desirable in a product. The goal in the compilation of these criteria was a comprehensive worksheet which categorized the characteristics of RTPS into hardware (computer and peripheral devices), 2-D planning tools, 3-D planning tools, irregular field planning tools, and brachytherapy planning. With these distinctions, one can evaluate a system conforming to the specific planning needs, e.g., conformal therapy, dynamic therapy capabilities, or optimized remote afterloading brachytherapy, of a department. The rationales of the special requirements are provided for justification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Cedars-Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Rosemark
authors.forename: M Y
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Leu
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Clanton
mesh_terms: D001918:Brachytherapy; D003625:Data Collection; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed