CT-on-rails-guided HDR brachytherapy: single-room, rapid-workflow treatment delivery with integrated image guidance. (March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Orcutt, Kevin P; Libby, Bruce; Handsfield, Lydia L; Moyer, Grace; Showalter, Timothy N
• Is Part Of: Future oncology. Volume 10:Number 4(2014)
• Page Start: 569
• Page End: 575
• Publication Date: 2014-03
• Subjects: brachytherapy -- CT-on-rails -- HDR -- image-guided brachytherapy; Oncology -- Periodicals; 616.99405
• DOI: 10.2217/fon.13.239
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1479-6694

Abstract

ABSTRACT: : Brachytherapy is an important component of multidisciplinary cancer care for a variety of solid tumors. Most systems require moving the patient to multiple locations for treatment planning and delivery after the applicator is placed. A dedicated computed tomography (CT)-on-rails brachytherapy suite was installed at our institution to allow image-guided brachytherapy and a rapid scan–plan–treat workflow that is well suited to a busy quaternary care medical center. The suite consists of an OR couch with CT-compatible insert, a CT-on-rails imaging unit, a Varian Varisource iX HDR afterloader and full anesthesia capabilities. The explicit goal was to provide the ability to perform applicator placement, CT-guided treatment planning, and treatment delivery efficiently and without moving the patient. The dedicated CT-on-rails suite for high-dose-rate brachytherapy offers image-guided brachytherapy capabilities with a rapid workflow that lends itself well to efficient, high-quality care that can meet the demands of a large-volume referral center capable of high patient throughput.