Biological imaging in radiation treatment planning for brain tumours

The paper presents new techniques of intracranial tumour visualisation-positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon computed emission tomography (SPECT). In the course of these examinations one may use radiolabelled amino acids, which are characterized by increased uptake within the tumour. These techniques are very useful for precise 3D radiotherapy planning, especially in patients with post-surgical residual tumours or in cases when the tumour is located in the direct vicinity of surrounding skeletal structures, as is the case with meningiomas of the cranial base. Precise definition of the target is a necessary element of modern radiotherapy, the results of which may be significantly improved by the use of biological markers in the course of visualization techniques.