Abstract:

In this talk I will discuss the development of optimization research in radiation oncology, especially regarding treatment planning for intensity modulated radiation therapy. The basic formulation of the problem and several approaches will be outlined. Several open questions in optimization research will be discussed including: dosimetric accuracy and the effect of using simplified dose calculation algorithms; difficulties with standard, linearly-weighted objective function, formulations; the use of goal programming formulations to make the approach more clinically relevant and 'steerable'; the integration of outcomes models; and methods to produce treatment plans which are (in some sense) robust to planning uncertainties.