title: Current techniques in three-dimensional CT simulation and radiation treatment planning.
abstract: The modern CT simulator is capable of interactive three-dimensional (3D) volumetric treatment planning; this allows radiation oncology departments to operate without conventional X-ray simulators. Treatment planning is performed at the time of virtual simulation by contouring the organs or volumes of interest and determining the isocenter. A digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR) provides a beam's-eye-view display of the treatment field anatomy and contoured areas of interest. Conformal and noncoplanar teletherapy is facilitated for patients with prostate cancer, lung cancer, and brain tumors. Ongoing developments include 3D dose calculation, dose-volume histogram analysis, and tumor dose escalation.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Therapy Center, Watson Clinic, Lakeland, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Stephenson
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Wiley
mesh_terms: D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003626:Data Display; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D018787:Radiation Oncology; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D011867:Radioisotope Teletherapy; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*