MO‐D‐116‐01: MRI Applications in Radiation Oncology

Abstract

Computed tomography (CT) is the standard imaging modality for radiation oncology. CT simulation, together with advanced dose delivery techniques, has moved radiotherapy from the 2D to the 3D era, enabling conformal dose delivery such as 3D conformal radiation therapy and intensity‐modulated radiation therapy. CT simulation has greatly advanced our capability to manage cancer in the last two decades. However, suboptimal soft tissue contrast may limit accuracy of target and organ‐at‐risk delineation. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has superior soft tissue contrast. Unlike CT, MRI acquisition sequences can even be tailored to highlight tumors or improve contrast between organs. In addition, MRI can provide valuable functional information to aid target definition and evaluate treatment response. MRI has been increasingly used in radiation oncology in support of CT to improve tumor and organ‐at‐risk delineation in radiation therapy. In this session, we will discuss how MRI can benefit radiation oncology clinics from a physician perspective, current status of MRI guided radiotherapy systems, feasibility and challenges in MRI‐based radiotherapy treatment planning and advanced MRI techniques to study tumor response to radiation therapy.Learning Objectives:1. Identify cases where MRI can provide valuable information for radiation therapy2. Learn the basis of MRI guided radiotherapy systems3. Understand the current status and the challenges in MRI‐based treatment planning for radiation therapy4. Become familiar with advanced quantitative MRI techniques such as DWI and DCE‐MRI to assess radiotherapy treatment response.