With the multileaf collimator, developed at DKFZ, tumors can be irradiated with unprecedented precision
Radiation therapy is one of the three capital routes in cancer therapy. Therefore, large numbers of patients may benefit from the improvement and further development of existing technologies. Our division concentrates on optimizing conformation radiotherapy, which facilitates precise adjustment of dose distribution in the tissue to the shape of the tumor.
Successful developments of our division include three-dimensional radiotherapy planning, stereotactic radiosurgery, treatment with carbon-12 ions, and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with inverse therapy planning – a method that facilitates effective treatment even of tumors located in the immediate vicinity of sensitive areas such as the optical nerve and the brain stem.
In addition, we are developing methods for recording and controlling position changes of irradiated tissues during treatment.