3D Conformal Radiotherapy

A modern innovation is 3D conformal radiotherapy. This technique permits the radiation oncologist to shape and precisely deliver the high-energy x-ray beam to the cancer disease site while also optimally protecting normal tissues. At the heart of 3D conformal radiotherapy are high-speed computers capable of extracting the CT/MRI data, performing three-dimensional isodose calculations and overlaying the data for the radiation oncologist and medical physicist to view. Upon acceptance of the physical treatment plan by the radiation oncologist, the tumor targeting and beam delivery data are used for precise positioning of the patient. The result is the ability to deliver relatively larger doses to the tumor while sparing adjacent healthy tissue compared to conventional (ie non-3D) techniques. The immediate outcome is improved treatment tolerance by the patient.

The Division of Radiation Oncology Physics in the USC Department of Radiation Oncology is proud of its contributions towards the development of 3D conformal radiotherapy. This program was started in the late 1980s and the Division continually strives to make 3D conformal radiotherapy more accurate and easier to use. A demonstration of our proprietary 3D conformal radiotherapy technology can be seen on the Division of Radiation Oncology Physics web pages. A commercial ADAC Pinnacle3 3D treatment planning system is also employed for treatment planning.

Radiation Oncologists:

• Zbigniew Petrovich, M.D.
• Oscar E. Streeter, Jr., M.D.
• Ronald D. Lau, M.D.
• Robert S. Lavey, M.D. (at CHLA)

Radiation Physicists:

• Melvin A. Astrahan, Ph.D.
• Gabor Jozsef, Ph.D.
• Arthur J. Olch, Ph.D. (at CHLA)