Simulation-based brachytherapy planning for oligo metastasis

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Frank Giordano, since 8/2019; Professor Dr. Jürgen Hesser
• Subject Area: Medical Physics, Biomedical Technology
• Term: from 2015 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 279192692

The objective of this project is the realization of a new brachytherapy planning strategy (for low-dose-rate (LDR) and high-dose-rate (HDR)) using oligo metastasis as example case. Since each patient case for oligo metastasis is individual, not only dose planning but also the access path to the lesion are to be considered. Both complicate the planning process substantially. Hence, we want to develop the concept of a simulation-based planning tool and evaluate it under clinical conditions. Major parts of such a system are a.) the generation of models from individual patient data, b.) the realistic simulation based on these models, and c.) a real-time computation of an inverse treatment plan. In this way, deviations in needle placement can be visualized directly with respect to the dose distribution. It also allows interactive assessment of different access paths. We expect that by integration of the intervention simulation (and eventual training of the intervention) that the complexity of the planning (dose conformity, risks for needle insertion like perforation of vessels or nerve trajectories) is reduced substantially. In parallel we expect increasing plan quality.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Professor Dr. Frederik Wenz, until 8/2019