Multileaf collimator: Difference between revisions

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A '''multileaf collimator''' ('''MLC''') is a device made up of individual "leaves" of a high atomic numbered material, usually [[tungsten]], that can move independently in and out of the path of a [[particle beam]] in order to block it.

MLCs are used on [[linear accelerator]]s to provide conformal shaping of [[radiotherapy]] treatment beams. Specifically, conformal radiotherapy and [[Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy]] (IMRT) can be delivered using MLC'sMLCs.

The MLC has improved rapidly since its inception and the first use of leaves to shape structures in 1965 <ref>Takahashi, S., "Conformation radiotherapy: rotation techniques as applied to radiography and radiotherapy of cancer", ''Acta Radiol. Suppl. 242 (1965) 1–142''</ref> to modern day operation and use. MLC'sMLCs are now widely used and have become an integral part of any radiotherapy department. MLC'sMLCs were primarily used for conformal radiotherapy, and have allowed the cost effective implementation of conformal treatment with significant time saving,<ref>Brewster, L.; Mohan, R.; Mageras, G.; Burman, C.; Leibel, S. and Fuks, Z., "Three dimensional conformal treatment planning with multileaf collimators", ''Int. J. Rad. Onc. Biol. Phys. 33 (1995) 1081–9''</ref><ref>Helyer, S. J. and Heisig, S., "Multileaf collimation versus conventional shielding blocks: a time and motion study of beam shaping in radiotherapy", ''Rad. Onc. 37 (1995) 61–4''</ref> and also have been adapted for use for IMRT treatments. For conformal radiotherapy the MLC allows conformal shaping of the linear accelerator (LINAC) beam to match the borders of the target tumour. For intensity modulated treatments the leaves of a MLC can be moved across the field to create IMRT distributions (MLC'sMLCs really provide a [[fluence]] modulation rather than intensity modulation).

The MLC is an important tool for radiation therapy dose delivery. It was originally used as a surrogate for alloy block field shaping and is now widely used for IMRT. As with any tool used in radiotherapy the MLC must undergo commissioning and quality assurance. Additional commissioning measurements are completed to model a MLC for treatment planning. Various MLC'sMLCs are provided by different vendors and they all have unique design features as determined by specifications of design,<ref>Galvin, J. M.; Smith, A. R. and Lally, B., "Characterization of a multi-leaf collimator system", ''Int. J. Rad. Onc. Biol. Phys. 25 (1993) 181–92''</ref> and these differences are quite significant.

== References ==