[Image-guided radiotherapy in lung cancer]

Area of Science:

• Radiation Oncology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Image-guided radiotherapy is integral to lung cancer treatment, from planning to daily patient alignment.
• Managing respiratory-induced motion of tumors and thoracic structures is crucial for accurate radiation delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of various imaging techniques in image-guided radiotherapy for lung cancer.
• To highlight advancements in managing respiratory motion during lung cancer radiation therapy.

Main Methods:

• Routine use of 4D computed tomography (4DCT) for managing respiratory motion.
• Implementation of passive and active techniques for integrating respiratory motion.
• Utilization of various imaging modalities (kV, MV, MRI, functional imaging) for daily repositioning and adaptive radiotherapy.

Main Results:

• 4DCT enables effective management of tumoral and thoracic structure motion.
• Both passive and active techniques successfully integrate respiratory motion into treatment planning.
• Diverse imaging methods support precise daily patient alignment and adaptive treatment strategies.

Conclusions:

• Image-guided radiotherapy, enhanced by 4DCT and advanced imaging, is essential for precise lung cancer treatment.
• Motion management techniques are critical for improving treatment efficacy and safety.
• The integration of MRI and functional imaging supports the development of adaptive radiotherapy approaches.