For high-precision radiation therapy, it is necessary to carefully delineate targets and surrounding tissues to deliver high dose to the tumor while sparing critical anatomical structures. But accurately defining the target volume can be a challenge for clinicians. CT provides the Hounsfield Units (HU) required for dose calculations, but not enough of soft-tissue contrast. For this reason, there is a clear trend toward the increased use of MRI, with excellent soft-tissue contrast, for target delineation, monitoring and treatment adaptation.
The University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht, a leading radiation therapy center in the Netherlands, has embraced MRI as imaging modality to enhance their radiation treatment planning. This is part of their mission to improve methods and provide excellent patient care. In a recent article in Philips’ FieldStrength MRI magazine, Dr. Marielle Philippens describes how UMC Utrecht has successfully made MRI a part of their standard clinical routine.