[Developments in radiotherapy: image-guided and minimally invasive].

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Medical Physics
• Radiology

Background:

• Radiotherapy, a cornerstone cancer treatment, is evolving from imprecise methods to high-precision therapies.
• Historically, radiotherapy often caused unpreventable side effects due to its imprecise nature.
• Advancements in imaging and techniques are transforming radiation oncology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the evolution of radiotherapy towards a high-precision treatment modality.
• To explain how improved imaging enhances tumor targeting and minimizes damage to healthy tissues.
• To demonstrate the benefits of modern radiotherapy techniques for patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing improved imaging quality for accurate tumor localization in space and time.
• Integrating anatomical and functional information for precise treatment planning.
• Employing advanced techniques for enhanced guidance of radiation delivery during treatment.

Main Results:

• Radiotherapy has become a high-precision therapy comparable to surgery.
• Reduced radiotherapy margins and decreased radiation dose to normal tissues achieved.
• Enabling fewer, highly effective radiation fractions for various cancer indications.

Conclusions:

• Modern radiotherapy offers a less toxic and more effective treatment strategy.
• Advanced imaging and techniques significantly improve treatment precision and patient benefit.
• The shift towards precision radiotherapy enhances curative potential while minimizing side effects.