Transfer of methods from radiotherapy planning to ablation planning with focus on uncertainties and robustness

Abstract

Recently, tumor ablation has been introduced as an additional modality in cancer treatment. Computer-based ablation planning is not yet established and could improve treatment outcome. Here a quite strong analogy to radiotherapy (RT) planning exists. Objective is to reuse and transfer computer-based methods from RT to ablation planning. Methods: An RT planning system is converted into an ablation planning system. The concept of robust planning, which is to determine the impact of uncertainty, is mapped to ablation planning. Results: A fully functional ablation planning prototype was implemented. The potential of robust planning could be demonstrated in an exemplary case using the new concept of probability-volume histograms (PVH). Conclusion: An ablation planning system based on an RT planning system confirms the close relation of RT and ablation planning. The new concept of robust ablation planning has been introduced. © 2012 by Walter de Gruyter Berlin Boston.