Motion effects in (intensity modulated) radiation therapy: a review

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiation Oncology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Human tissues can move during fractionated radiation therapy, necessitating compensation for planned treatment accuracy.
• Traditional methods like margins offer approximate compensation for these anatomical shifts.
• Advances in conformal and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) have intensified the focus on precise motion management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent developments (past decade) in understanding and compensating for tissue motion during radiation therapy.
• To provide an overview of current techniques and their clinical applicability.
• To highlight areas requiring further research and development in radiation therapy motion management.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on advancements within the last decade.
• Analysis of techniques for compensating tissue motion in conformal and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).
• Assessment of the current clinical implementation status of reviewed techniques.

Main Results:

• Significant progress has been made in understanding and compensating for tissue motion in radiation therapy over the past decade.
• Newer techniques offer more precise compensation compared to traditional margins.
• Many advanced techniques are still under development or not yet widely adopted in clinical practice.

Conclusions:

• Accurate compensation for tissue motion is crucial for modern radiation therapy techniques like IMRT.
• Continued research and development are needed to refine and implement advanced motion management strategies.
• Bridging the gap between research and widespread clinical adoption remains a key challenge.