Ultrasound in the localisation of bladder tumours for radiotherapy treatment planning

Radiation treatment fields have been established in 40 patients with carcinoma of the urinary bladder using a technique based on B-scan measurements of tumour dimensions and position. Three-dimensional data were obtained using omnidirectional calipers and the in-built measuring system of the scanner gantry, and by measurement from the recorded images. All measurements of the tumour dimensions and co-ordinates of the tumour centre were related to a fixed patient reference point. The ultrasound measurements were superimposed on to the AP and lateral planning radiographs after multiplication by the appropriate magnification factor. Ultrasound tomograms provided accurate data for radiotherapy planning and offer a convenient method for monitoring the response to treatment on follow-up.