Modern Imaging Techniques and Their Role in Contact Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy) Planning

The paper considers an algorithm for the diagnostic study of patients with cancer of different localization, the possibility and feasibility of involving imaging techniques in radiation therapy and brachytherapy (BT) planning. The most widely used ultrasound in BT planning does not exclude a subjective assessment of the boundaries of the tumor and organs at risk, as well as the inaccuracies caused by endostatic devices. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a high level of achievement of the criteria necessary for BT planning, but it has financial constraints and the need for individual selection of research conditions. Computed tomography (CT) is the most effective technique for visualizing the tumor, endostatic devices, and organs at risk for BT 3D planning. The involvement of MRI and positron emission tomography with CT in BT planning is a promising area that requires equipping with a mathematical tool for double and triple contouring of the tumor and organs at risk and for defining protection priorities. The prescribed and used focal dose should be controlled by direct dosimetry methods to ensure quality assurance.

1. Chernus NYu, Kedrova AG, Krasilnikov SE, Ivaninskiy OI. Characteristics of oncological care in the reality of COVID-19 pandemic: views of a lawyer and a clinician. Tumors of Female Reproductive System. 2020; 16(1): 85–90 (in Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17650/1994-4098-2020-16-1-85-90.

2. Solodky VA, Pavlov AYu, Titova VA, Tsybulsky AD. Contact radiation therapy (brachytherapy): clinical concept of direct dosimetry [in vivo] and quality assurance of radiation therapy. Problems in Oncology. 2020; 66(4): 3968–403 (in Russ.). https://doi.org/10.37469/0507-3758-2020-66-4-398-403.

3. Titova VA, Panshin GA, Shevchenko LN. Postoperative conformal radiation therapy for cervical and uterine cancer: the role of contact radiation therapy. Difficult Patient. 2019; 17(8-9): 33–6 (in Russ.). https://doi.org/10.24411/2074-1995-2019-10060.

4. Titova VA. Radiation therapy for oropharyngeal cancer – should we change the priorities under intensive systemic bacterial and viral exposure. Head and Neck. 2020; 8(3): 76–9 (in Russ.). https://doi.org/10.25792/HN.2020.8.3.76-79.

5. Kaprin AD, Galkin VN, Ivanov SA, et al. Brachytherapy in treatment of vaginal cancer. Biomedical Photonics. 2016; 5(1): 22–6 (in Russ.).

6. Solodky VA, Titova VA. Automated contact radiation therapy – conditions for effective use in practical healthcare. Problems in Oncology. 2016; 62(5): 688–93 (in Russ.).

7. Solodky VA, Sergeev NI, Titova VA. CT and MRI imaging of endostats for intracavity gammatherapy using innovative device. Meditsinskaya Fizika. 2020; 3: 53–8 (in Russ.).

8. Titova VA, Kokontsev DA, Ivashin AV, Hromov AB. Contact radiation therapy on medical apparatus AGAT-VT with the use of local planning. Vestnik of the Russian Scientific Center of Roentgenoradiology. 2016; 16(3): 9 (in Russ.).

9. Kreynina J, Burnashkina SP, Nudnov NV, Solodky VA. Capabilities of new complex pelvic MRI examination in vagina neoplastic lesion diagnosis and treatment planning. 15th Biennial Meeting of the International Gynecologic Cancer Society. Melbourne, Australia, November 8–11; 2014.

10. Pavlov AYu, Titova VA, Tsybulskii AD, et al. High-dose-rate brachytherapy for prostate cancer: direct in vivo dosimetry is an important factor in increasing the effectiveness of treatment and reducing the incidence of complications. Problems in Oncology. 2019; 65(4): 596–602 (in Russ.).

11. Panshin GA, Titova VA, Petrovsky VYu. Penile cancer: current positions of organ sparing radiation treatment. Difficult Patient. 2019; 17(11-12): 44–7 (in Russ.). https://doi.org/10.24411/2074-1995-2019-10087.

12. Titova VA, Kokoncev DA, Sumin AV, et al. Brachytherapy dosimetry in vivo. Meditsinskaya Fizika. 2019; 2: 24–30 (in Russ.).

13. Vasil’ev VN, Sumin AV, Medvedkov AM, et al. Calculation of the MKD-04 scintillation dosimeter for g radiation from a 192Ir sourse. Biomed Eng. 2020; 54(2): 113–6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10527-020-09985-3.

14. Solodky VA, Titova VA, Belle TS, et al. Contact radiation therapy using the domestic AGAT-VT complex: a guide for doctors and medical physicists. Moscow: Aspekt Press; 2018: 191 p. (in Russ.).