Improving prediction of radiotherapy response and optimizing target definition by using FDG-PET for lung cancer patients

Another way to improve treatment outcome is to optimize the radiotherapy itself. Until the late 1990’s, X-ray images were used to depict the radiation fields. Square radiation fields around the primary tumor and mediastinum were drawn manually. To avoid the possibility of a geographical miss, these radiation fields were large. Consequently, it was not possible to apply larger doses than 50 – 60 Gy without the risk of excessive toxicity (radiation pneumonitis and/or radiation esophagitis).