25-10-2012, 10:31 AM
Intensity Modulated Radiation Treatment of Prostate Cancer Guided by High Field MR Spectroscopic Imaging
ABSTRACT
With the development of computer controlled multileaf collimators, IMRT now provides unprecedented means for us to
deliver 3D-dose distributions with subcentimeter resolution. Simultaneously, MRSI is capable of noninvasively providing
critically needed 3D metabolic and physiological information. Together with anatomical CT or MRI images, functional
imaging affords valuable 4D data (3D structural plus 1D metabolic).Atimely issue is how to integrate the metabolic/functional
data into IMRT treatment planning to improve clinical prostate cancer management. Toward establishing biologically
conformal radiation therapy for prostate treatment, we have carried out a series of studies and developments and have
successfully accomplished a number of important milestones of the proposed project These include (i) implemented 3T
prostate MRSI technique with J-resolved pulse sequence; (ii) developed a robust image registration procedure to map
endorectal coil-based MRSI data onto treatment planning CT/MRI images; (iii) performed experimental validation of the
image registration tools; (iv) designed and fabricated MRSI quality assurance phantom; and (v) improved currently available
inverse planning algorithm for MRSI-guided prostate IMRT. Integration and further refinement of the above tools are still
underway. It is expected these tools will greatly facilitate the imaging, planning, delivery, and quality assurance of
MRSI-guided prostate treatment.