title: [Optimisation in brachytherapy].
abstract: Advances in technology have initiated a process of redefinition of planning and evaluation of brachytherapy. The new approach involves conformal positioning of a source configuration for which the treatment isodose contour is adapted to the shape of the target volume which is defined by 3D dimensional imaging. A good implant aims for a balance between good coverage of the target volume, a high dose uniformity inside the target volume and a steep dose fall-off outside the target volume. Computer hardware and software is now available to obtain a high level of sophistication, for instance in treatment planning. In addition, new after loading equipment became available allowing a large variety in source placement in the catheters. To facilitate optimisation procedures, new parameters for the judgement of the quality of the implant have been suggested.
authors.affiliation: Service de physique, institut Gustave-Roussy, 39, rue Camille-Desmoulins, 94805 cedex, Villejuif, France. briot@igr.fr <briot@igr.fr>
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Briot
mesh_terms: D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000379:methods*; D003201:Computers; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D012984:Software
vernacular_title: Optimisation en curiethérapie.