Tumor volume determination: Demands of radiotherapy on modern radiological imaging

Background: The aim of radiotherapy as a local treatment method is the eradication of all vital tumor cells in order to achieve permanent local tumor control. From a clinical point of view this means that a patient suffering from cancer can only be cured if all cancer stem cells as a specific subpopulation within a tumor are eliminated by the treatment. Results: New radiation techniques often employ lower normal tissue doses with less toxicity and/or the possibility to apply higher radiation doses to the target volume. High-resolution imaging is hereby mandatory for precise tumor volume definition as a basis of local tumor control. New developments in the field of bioimaging lead to further perspectives in radiotherapy. Conclusion: By combining anatomical information with biological characteristics of the tumor, additional benefits for treatment planning and outcome can be achieved. Thus, the use of these modern imaging methods to define irradiation target volumes more clearly forms the basis for the application of modern radiation techniques.