Image Guided Adaptive Radiotherapy in the Head-and-neck Region

Image Guided Adaptive Radiotherapy Based on Elastic Image Registration for Improved Tumor Coverage and Reduction of Side Effect in Normal Tissues

Aim of this study is the clinical evaluation of an image-guided adaptive radiotherapy concept. This involves the adaption of the radiotherapy treatment plan according to changes in tissues and variations in patients position and posture during a radiotherapy treatment course, based on repeat CT scans.

It is investigated, if dosimetric improvements can be achieved using this approach and if the method using the software-package "ReDeform" can be implemented in clinical Routine.

Aim of this study is the clinical evaluation of an image-guided adaptive radiotherapy (ART) concept. This involves the adaption of the radiotherapy treatment plan according to changes in tissues and variations in patients position and posture during a radiotherapy treatment course, based on repeat CT scans.

It is prospectively investigated, if dosimetric improvements can be achieved using this approach and if the method using the software-package "ReDeform" can be implemented in clinical Routine. For that purpose 2 repeat CT scans are acquired during the radiotherapy course (week 3 and week 5 of radiotherapy). The Initial CT scan is "matched" to the follow-up CT-scan by means of deformable image registration.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with histo-pathologically verified malignancies in the head-and-neck without clinical signs of dissemination, who consented in radiotherapy or radio-chemotherapy.

Exclusion Criteria:

• previous radiation therapy for head-and-neck