The Best 10 Online Resources for Learning About Adaptive Radiotherapy

Learn about the most recent discoveries in cancer treatment by consulting any number of the many internet resources dedicated to researching adaptive radiotherapy. Icon Group, Adaptive Intelligence Consortium, and MR-Linacs are only a few examples. In terms of bettering patient outcomes, these resources are priceless.

Using magnetic resonance imaging to direct radiation therapy, or MR-Linacs has many benefits over older linac technologies. Using continuous MRI, these scanners take numerous scans of the patient’s anatomy every second, allowing for more precise radiation therapy. Because patients may relax in their chairs throughout treatment, there is less discomfort. In addition, radiation rays will not affect them.

The effectiveness of individualized radiation therapy delivered online was compared to standard reference plans. However, this treatment is complex because of the inherent limits of re-planning, even if online adaptive radiotherapy is designed to prevent plan erosion due to inter-fractional changes in the tumor.

Preliminary results from clinical trials suggest that MR-Linacs may increase the therapeutic ratio. However, they need more research before their potential benefits can be determined through clinical studies.

Online adaptive radiation guided by computed tomography is gaining in popularity. This new radiation therapy technique provides for more exact dose administration. Features include dose calculation, organ delineation, and patient monitoring, all of which can be accessed online. Dose delivery mistakes can be reduced with CT-guided treatment thanks to improved monitoring and on-the-fly adjustments for variations in patient anatomy. However, some drawbacks to the present CBCT restrict its usefulness. These include scattering contamination and a patient configuration constrained by bony features.

Dose-dependent radiotherapy (DART), also known as adaptive radiotherapy, is a form of radiation therapy that uses imaging data acquired on the day of treatment to fine-tune a patient’s dose and schedule. In addition to this information, a previously acquired IMRT dose fluence matrix forms the basis of the treatment strategy. Disturbances from the planned dosage distribution are then computed in 1D, 2D, and volumetric forms and compared to the observed dose distribution. Dose-volume histograms are computed for the intended volumes and the fundamental structures.

Although art has great promise, it is underutilized because of the extensive resources needed to implement it. One study tested the effectiveness and practicability of an AI-driven CBCT system dubbed Ethos in 99 pelvic instances. A quality assurance solution was also incorporated.

The Adaptive Intelligence Consortium (AIC) is a pioneer in adaptive radiotherapy. They do experiments, such as pilot studies, evaluations of technologies, and clinical trials. Nearly thirty cancer hospitals across the globe use their Ethos system. The AIC has accepted more than thirty abstracts for 2020 conferences.

The Varian Ethos, an adaptive radiation system powered by artificial intelligence, has been released. On-board cone beam CT imaging and an AI-based treatment plan generation are utilized in this device. The radiation oncologist then has the option to accept, modify, or reject the plan. Ethos can also modify a patient’s treatment schedule in response to tumor size changes.

Improve the efficacy of cancer treatments with the use of the online adaptive radiotherapy process. The conformal feature of proton radiation is better exploited, resulting in a dosage distribution that is more protective of healthy tissue. In addition, because it constantly adjusts for anatomical changes and inter-fractional motion, it allows oncologists to give more precise doses of radiation to cancer patients.

The icon is a primary cancer treatment provider in Australia, and they have recently expanded overseas by opening facilities in New Zealand and China. The company has teamed up with pioneers in the field to speed up scientific progress and enhance medical services. In addition, its extensive technological infrastructure positions it favorably to contribute to developing new cancer treatments.

Taking the 47th spot on the list, Icon Group is the only Australian business to cut. The organization recognizes and appreciates those who share its mission of making a positive difference in the world. Go to icongroup.com for additional info. Moreover, sign up for the newsletter.

The use of adaptive radiotherapy requires a multidisciplinary group consisting of a medical physicist, radiation therapist, and doctor. During a typical session, a radiation therapist will bring the patient into the treatment room, set up the equipment, and acquire a volumetric MRI. The radiation therapist additionally arranges the target in the treatment area. A physicist or dosimetrist then takes on this role of the adaptive planner. Next, the adaptive planner will begin an auto-contouring procedure based on deformable registration. It is common practice for the adaptive planner to make minor adjustments to the critical structure outlines, but the attending physician always has the final say.