ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses the grassroots innovations in physics. It focuses on the innovations in the use of imaging for brachytherapy guidance. The book also discusses the usual suspect modalities such as x-ray, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) as well as upcoming optical imaging technology that has yet to see regular applications in brachytherapy but holds much potential. It shows the group of eight clinical sites carefully chosen across Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa, under various resource settings and developmental phases, sharing their vision and experiences on establishing the latest state-of-the-art infrastructure and clinical practices. The book explains the competitiveness of brachytherapy compared with other radiation modalities such as external beam radiotherapy and particle therapy in terms of treatment efficacy, recent trends, and latest worldwide political/economic landscape.
