[Alternative use of the simulator method and computer tomography in planning radiotherapy for non-metastasizing...

Simulator method and computed tomography use different pictures for measurements of the tumor volume for therapy planning: X-ray pictures taken from two different directions can only show the indirect volume of the tumor, while CT pictures give information of the real size of the tumor. For estimation of the value of the two methods therapy planning was performed by the simulator method in 34 patients with carcinoma of the prostate (T1-T3) and the results were added to CT pictures. Comparison of the two methods resulted in equivalent consequences. Therefore economic aspects should be taken into account for selection of a special method of radiation therapy planning.