title: Simulation techniques in hyperthermia treatment planning.
abstract: Abstract Clinical trials have shown that hyperthermia (HT), i.e. an increase of tissue temperature to 39-44 °C, significantly enhance radiotherapy and chemotherapy effectiveness [1]. Driven by the developments in computational techniques and computing power, personalised hyperthermia treatment planning (HTP) has matured and has become a powerful tool for optimising treatment quality. Electromagnetic, ultrasound, and thermal simulations using realistic clinical set-ups are now being performed to achieve patient-specific treatment optimisation. In addition, extensive studies aimed to properly implement novel HT tools and techniques, and to assess the quality of HT, are becoming more common. In this paper, we review the simulation tools and techniques developed for clinical hyperthermia, and evaluate their current status on the path from 'model' to 'clinic'. In addition, we illustrate the major techniques employed for validation and optimisation. HTP has become an essential tool for improvement, control, and assessment of HT treatment quality. As such, it plays a pivotal role in the quest to establish HT as an efficacious addition to multi-modality treatment of cancer.
authors.affiliation: Hyperthermia Unit, Department of Radiation Oncology, Daniel den Hoed Cancer Centre, Erasmus Medical Centre, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. m.paulides@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Margarethus M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Paulides
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Stauffer
authors.forename: Esra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Neufeld
authors.forename: Paolo F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Maccarini
authors.forename: Adamos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kyriakou
authors.forename: Richard A M
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Canters
authors.forename: Chris J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Diederich
authors.forename: Jurriaan F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Bakker
authors.forename: Gerard C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Van Rhoon
mesh_terms: D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D006979:Hyperthermia, Induced; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy