ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the methodologies for characterizing respiratory motion, measuring respiratory motion, and motion management strategies for image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) of lung cancer. Respiratory motion imaging and management is challenging in IGRT of lung cancer due to its magnitude and breathing irregularity. Given the adverse impact that respiratory motion can have on both imaging and treatment delivery, it is important to understand the motion characteristics and the different motion reduction/compensation strategies during imaging simulation to develop optimal treatment plan. Respiratory motion can be managed either actively or passively during imaging simulation. Understanding the pros and cons of different four-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) imaging techniques and motion management strategies are crucial for successful implementation of IGRT for lung cancer. Data processing is generally faster for cine 4D-CT than helical 4D-CT to generate the 4D-CT images.
