Center for Radiation Therapy and Radio-Oncology Berlin Hellersdorf

Acquisition of cross-sectional images for radiation planning, typically without the use of contrast agents, including so-called “virtual” simulation. Electronic integration with images from previous examinations, such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission tomography (PET-CT), is possible and often necessary for radiation planning.

Positioning and alignment of patients using the DORADOselect 3 laser system

Developing and calculating a radiation treatment plan in collaboration with the physician and a medical physics expert (MPE) based on the cross-sectional images that have been acquired.

We use two state-of-the-art radiation therapy machines manufactured by the international market leader, VARIAN Medical Systems. The shape of the radiation fields can be customized as needed using the lead blades (multileaf collimators, MLC) built into the machines. Modern imaging systems (OBI) allow us to verify the correct positioning of the radiation fields and correct them if necessary (image-guided radiotherapy—IGRT). This is achieved using an additional computed tomography scan performed with an X-ray tube and detector (cone-beam CT). To treat patients, we use modern intensity-
modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with Rapid Arc (high-precision IMRT using a rapid rotation technique), which enables treatment times of less than 3 minutes.