During the last 30 years radiation therapy has developed from classical rectangular beams via conformation therapy with largely uniform dose delivery but irregular field shapes to fully intensity modulated dose delivery which gives the possibility for truly optimized radiation therapy. Today it is not only possible to produce almost any dose distributions in the tumor volume, it is also possible to deliver the dose distribution with high probability of cure by avoiding severe complications in normal tissue. We will discuss radiobiological objective functions and associated advantages in treatment outcome using e. g. consideration of stochastic positioning, fractionation schedule optimization with intensity-modulated beams from electrons, photons, protons and ions. Once accurate genetically and/or cell survival based predictive assays become available, radiation therapy will allow individual optimization considering side effects.

Moderation: Hannes Aiginger, TU Wien