Computer tomography for TNM based radiation planning of urological tumours

From the extensive statistics concerning treatment results of urological tumours which are available from central tumour registers, a first draft of a treatment plan has been worked out, which is based on tumour spread. Since the extent of tumour invasion is documented by the TNM system of the UICC, one is justified in speaking of TNM orientated treatment planning. For planning it is necessary to consider not only tumour type and depth of infiltration of local tissues, but also the lymph node anatomy, whether the nodes are involved or not. Computer tomography assists significantly in the performance of such TNM orientated treatment planning, particularly in determining the extent of the volume to be irradiated. It must be stressed that computer tomography does not replace the use of simulators, but that it is a valuable addition. In our view, computer tomography has also an undoubted value in treatment planning of urological tumours where palliation only is the aim. It provides the possibility of checking the effect of the chosen treatment by a non-invasive diagnostic method. (orig.)