According to Michael Dattoli, experts will discuss the most recent advancements in radiation therapy at ASTRO 2022. As the annual meeting of the society approaches, a number of emerging trends will be presented. These advancements are expected to change the way doctors treat cancer. We'll look at seven of them in this article. Hopefully, one of these will assist you in determining which technologies to pursue for your own patient. If not, keep reading for some inspiration and ideas.
AI-based contouring of organs at risk begins with high-precision CT images. These images are also used to plan radiation therapy treatments. According to Enric Fernandez-Velilla, a medical physicist in the Radiation Oncology Department of the Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, Spain, the top three trends he plans to present at ASTRO 2022 are IMRT and dual energy imaging.
Michael Dattoli described that, artificial intelligence-powered treatments are a hot topic at ASTRO 2022. On the show floor, an innovative AI-driven treatment planning system was demonstrated. This system incorporates multiple CT images as well as a treatment plan. It also enables radiation oncologists to edit treatment plans by applying changes automatically based on the images. For example, the system can detect the position of organs that are at risk and adjust treatment plans accordingly.
The FDA is conducting a phase I/II trial of reflexion PET-targeting adaptive therapy, which promises to accelerate the treatment of metastatic disease. It also employs software capable of converting MRI datasets into synthetic CT images. When compared to CT, MRI provides more detail of soft tissues, making it preferred for disease diagnosis and understanding. So, how can we improve the efficacy of our treatment options?
Stereotactic radiosurgery is another novel technique. This technique precisely delivers a large dose to a small area. It is used to treat tumors in the head and brain, and it emits radiation from multiple angles. The radiation is directed at the tumor, and as much as possible, nearby structures are spared. Because of its precision, this method is referred to as "radiosurgery" and is frequently referred to as a robotic procedure.
Proton beam radiation technology advancement is also changing the field of cancer treatment. This treatment involves directing proton beams at the cancer. The radiation from these beams is released from the physics department at a specific distance, and it is important to remember that proton beam radiation can only target tumors that are further away from healthy tissues. It also reduces the effects of radiation on healthy tissues, making it a more popular form of cancer treatment.
IMRT, another new technology, is gaining traction in cancer treatment. While IMRT increases total body irradiation, it also significantly increases the risk of secondary malignancies, especially in younger patients. This technology is especially problematic in the treatment of head and neck tumors, and it also increases overall radiation exposure. It may, however, have some applications in these areas. The increased use of IMRT may benefit cancer patients suffering from CNS tumors, head and neck tumors, or critical structures in these areas.
Michael Dattoli revealed that, a sham-ray is another new treatment method. Instead of a medical expert making a diagnosis, a radiation oncologist examines a cancer patient thoroughly. They look over their medical history and test results to pinpoint the exact location of the cancer that needs to be treated. A simulated treatment, also known as a'sim,' is one in which the patient lies still next to a machine.
For cancer patients, the FDA is testing a new treatment called intensity-modulated WAR. It has been used to treat patients with cancer of the pelvis and vertebral bodies. Tolerability is the primary goal, with secondary goals including quality of life, overall survival, and progression-free survival. It is currently being studied as a consolidation treatment, and more research is needed to confirm the benefits and limitations of this new treatment.