imaging technology- imaging sensors, CT, nuclear medicine Flashcards
What is imaging in radiotherapy often called?
Image-Guided Radiotherapy
What is Image-Guided Radiotherapy?
A technique used in cancer treatment that integrates imaging technologies with radiation therapy to improve the precision and accuracy of radiation delivery
How does IGRT help clinicians target tumors more accurately, minimize radiation exposure to healhty tissues and adapt treatment plans based o changes in tumour size or position during treatment?
By obtaining real-time or near-real time images of a patient’s tumour and surrounding anatomy
What are the common imaging modalities used in IGRT?
Computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and X-ray imaging
The simulation/planning CT
The patient is first positioned on a CT scanner table.
Immobilization devices, such as headrests, masks or body molds are used to immobilize the patient during the CT simulation
A CT scan is obtained, capturing the tumor and surrounding anatomical structures
Which step of the radiotherapy treatment plan does the Simulation/ CT planning take part in?
Planning stage
target delineation
Using the CT scans, the radiation oncologist outlines the Gross Tumor Volume and the Clinical Target volume + delineate critical organs and healthy tissues Organs at Risk, to minimize radiation exposure to these structures
What is the difference between the Gross Tumor Volume and the Clinical Target Volume?
The gross tumor volume is the target tumor volume
Clinical target volume is the areas that are at risk for microscopic disease spread
What are the 3 delineations taking place in target delineation?
gross volume target delineation
clinical volume target delineation
organs at risk delineation
PET Imaging
used for tumor delineation (gross tumor volume)
How can PET images help the radiation oncologists?
accurately define the tumor’s boundaries, Gross Tumor Volume
and identify potential areas of microscopic disease spread, Clinical target volume
and identify potential regions of high-risk within the tumor, such as hypoxic regions
What is a hypoxic regions?
regions within the tumor which are high-risk
How can PET imaging be used to identify hypoxic regions within tumors?
by employing specific radiotracers that selectively accumulate in hypoxic tissues. The treatment plan can then be designed to deliver a higher radiation dose to these hypoxic regions (regions of higher risk of microscopic disease spread within the tumor), while maintaining a standard dose for well-oxygenated regions.
Different imaging techniques to diagnose tumors
X-ray, CT, MRI, PET, Ultrasound
How do x-rays help in diagnostic imaging?
the first imaging test performed when cancer is suspected. Uses ionizing radiation to create 2D images of the body’s internal structures
How does CT help in diagnosis of cancer?
diagnose the stage of many types of cancer, and help guide biopsies and monitor the response to treatment
How is MRI useful for diagnosis of cancers?
Diagnosing and staging cancers in areas with complex anatomy, such as brain, spinal chord, prostate, and breast cancer
How is PET useful for diagnosis of cancer?
Due to the fact that cancer cells often have higher metabolic rates than normal cells, PET scans are used for diagnosing and staging various types of cancers
How is ultrasound helpful in diagnosing and staging cancers?
useful to diagnose and stage cancers in organs such as the liver, pancreas and kidneys. Can also help guide biopsies and monitor treatment response
What is fractionation?
Dividing radiation therapy into smaller doses, called fractions, which are delivered over a period of time
Why is fractionation an essential aspect of radiotherapy treatment planning?
it allows for the delivery of a high total radiation dose to the tumour while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues.
What is the rationale behind fractionation?
Based on the different responses of cancer cells and normal cells to radiation, allowing for the preferential killing of cancer cells while giving normal tissues time to recover between fractions.