Optimization, realization and quality assessment of arc modulated cone beam therapy [Elektronische Ressource] / put forward by Silke Ulrich

Dissertationsubmitted to theCombined Faculties for the Natural Sciences and for Mathematicsof the Ruperto-Carola University of Heidelberg, Germanyfor the degree ofDoctor of Natural Sciencesput forward byDiplom Physicist: Silke Ulrichborn in: Bad WildungenOral examination: 02.12.2009Optimization, Realization and QualityAssessment of Arc-ModulatedCone Beam TherapyReferees: Prof. Dr. Uwe OelfkeProf. Dr. Wolfgang SchlegelOptimization, Realization and Quality Assessment ofArc-Modulated Cone Beam TherapyAdvanced radiation therapy techniques rely on a modulation of the fluence fields to opti-mizetheclinicalbenefitofthetreatment. Thisincreasedflexibilityforintensity-modulatedradiation therapy (IMRT) in comparison to conventional techniques allows the realizationof excellent dose distributions. However, the advantage of superior dose distributions forIMRT usually requires an increased treatment time. A dose delivery technique with thepotential to overcome this problem without impairing the treatment quality is dynamicrotation therapy in a single arc. This technique uses dynamic field shaping with a multi-leaf collimator (MLC) and a variable dose rate of the linac during irradiation to conformthe dose distribution to the target volume.