Basic Radiation Therapy Objects

Basic Radiation Therapy Objects define the process and mechanisms for image based (3 dimensional) radiation therapy treatment planning.

Summary

This profile provides the structural mechanisms for the radiation therapy image based treatment planning process. Following image acquisition and archival storage of the image set, the profile defines the workflow and mechanisms utilized to create a patient’s treatment plan. The single or multi-series image set is retrieved and the relevant anatomical structures are contoured. The structure set is then stored and the user proceeds to define the geometrical elements (i.e. isocenter, beam angle, field size, etc.) of the proposed plan. Once the geometric characteristics are stored the user then defines the dosimetric properties (i.e. prescription, dose matrix, modeling algorithm, etc.) and calculates the dose. The user then displays the dose in a clinically useful manner (i.e. dose normalization, isodose distribution, dose volume histograms, etc.). The dosimetric plan is then stored to the archive.

Counterclock wise from the top left: CT dataset is retrieved, a contour is drawn, a field is placed, dose is calculated and displayed.

Benefits

• Defines discrete processes of treatment planning for vendors
• Provides a common process upon which more complex treatment planning can expand
• Reduces the DICOM-allowable variations in the Structure Set and RT Plan objects to improve interoperability

Details

The profile provides a common process for vendors based on current DICOM standards. Transactions required between treatment planning system (TPS) components (actors) is defined. Simple planning is limited to the use of a CT image dataset, external beam photons, wedges and blocks/MLC (i.e. no IMRT, electronic compensators, bolus, electron beams, etc.).

A radiation oncology PACS is required to archive the single series image set, contours structure set, geometric plan, dosimetric plan, and dose under a unique identifier (UID) for each patient. The transactional process of storage and retrieval between the TPS archive, contourer, geometric planner, dosimetric planner, and dose displayer is what is specifically defined by this profile. The object of the profile is to ensure interoperability between vendors for each component which will allow users to move data between systems for maximum patient benefit.

Systems Affected

• Radiation Oncology PACS
• Treatment Planning Systems
• CT Simulation Applications

Actors & Transactions:

Specification

Profile Status: Final Text

Documents: IHE Radiation Oncology Technical Framework:

Underlying Standards:

• DICOM
• DICOM-RT
• HL7

See Also

Related Profiles

• Multimodality Registration for Radiation Oncology (MMR-RO) <describe the nature of the relationship between this profile and NTPL-S>
• RT Treatment Workflow (TRWF) <describe the nature of the relationship between this profile and NTPL-S>

This page is based on the Profile Template