T-staging and target volume definition by imaging in gyn tumors

Abstract

Gynecological malignancies comprise a wide range of different tumors with various etiologies, risk factors, and treatment approaches/principles. Prevention, diagnosis, primary treatment, and management of recurrence are complex issues. A complete staging, which includes the evaluation of local tumor spread, lymph node involvement and distant metastases, is essential to choose the optimal treatment strategy. The impact of imaging has changed treatment approaches over the past 10 years with the development of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Image-Guided Brachytherapy (IGBT), allowing increasingly accurate and effective radiation dose delivery. Computer tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET)/CT are widely used for IMRT. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) represents the gold standard for target definition in IMRT and IGBT.