Variational methods for image-guided adaptive radiotherapy

Advances in radiotherapy technology and the development of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) planning and delivery systems have led to the emergence of image-guided and adaptive radiotherapy (IGART) to meet the new requirements of precise localization and definition of tumor targets while sparing surrounding critical structures during radiation delivery. While these technological advances have created new opportunities in radiotherapy treatment planning and delivery, however, availability of computationally efficient software algorithms is still lagging. In this work, we focus on the application and potentials of variational methods particularly level sets for IGART.