ABSTRACT
This chapter presents some of the latest applications of image processing in brachytherapy. Patient imaging in brachytherapy has undergone substantial development in the last decades with the introduction of volumetric imaging modalities such as ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Imaging provides information in two important steps during the treatment planning process: it is the basis for target and organs at risk (OARs) definitions, and it assists in the determination and optimization of radiation source positions. US, CT, and MRI are commonly used three-dimensional (3D) imaging modalities in brachytherapy. By taking advantage of the excellent soft-tissue contrast of MRI, cervical cancer brachytherapy has undergone substantial development in the last decade. There are additional complicating factors when trying to estimate the total cumulative dose distribution from combined external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy. Brachytherapy is a widely used treatment modality for prostate cancer where treatments are delivered either in a mono-modality setting or in combination with EBRT.
