Fighting tumors with mathematics

To the effective removal of cancerous lesions by hard x-rays a precise radiation plan is indispensable. The malignant growth should be hit with the highest possible dose of radiation while minimizing the dose to the surrounding healthy tissue.,

The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg is currently developing an improved approach using intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). In this procedure, the x-ray source rotates around the patient, directing the beam at the tumor from every possible angle at variable intensities. Meanwhile, the shape of the beam is adjusted through the use of computer-controlled movable metal leaves or plates which tightly mark off the lateral position of the beam. The RADIOPLAN project demonstrates how a radiation therapy plan can be developed more effectively and rapidly than ever before. This leads to a more balanced and tolerable compromise between treatment and risk.
Scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM, in conjunction with colleagues from the Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing SCAI and the DKFZ, are developing software which makes it easier for radiologists to select and decide on the best plan. This is especially crucial when sensitive organs are located near the tumor. With so many variable factors, the perfect radiation therapy plan is simply illusory, emphasizes Dr. Karl-Heinz Küfer from the ITWM optimization department. Up until now, clinics have calculated the radiation doses for various tissues based on prior experience. The computer then produces a plan which radiologists attempt to optimize to the greatest possible degree through repeated processing cycles that are time consuming and quite often inefficient. RADIOPLAN instead makes use of the Multiple Criteria Decision Making Theory. The optimum possible result is then considered to be reached when an improvement in the dosage to the targeted organ causes the worsening in others. As a database the software uses several hundred radiation treatment plans for making its calculations.
Accuracy and speed are not the only important criteria, says Küfer, who is familiar with the methods of radiologists. Should the doctor want to change the parameters entered, or to generate various scenarios for comparison purposes, these changes must be traceable in a clearly organized format. Thats why we integrated a simple to use and meanwhile patented navigation tool into the software.,For further information:,Dr. Karl-Heinz Kufer,Fraunhofer-Institut fur Techno- und Wirtschaftsmathematik ITWM,Phone +49 6 31 / 3 03-18 51,Fax +49 6 31 / 3 03-18 77 ,[e-mail]
http://www.itwm.fhg.de/radioplan/index_en.php

Countries

Denmark