National rectal cancer intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) guidance
The Royal College of Radiologists
DoseLab summary
UK national guidance for rectal IMRT and VMAT. It covers pre-treatment imaging (dedicated rectal MRI, with PET-CT in selected cases), fusing the diagnostic or planning MRI with the planning CT and having the oncologist approve the registration, target volume definitions and an atlas, SIB strategies, beam and arc arrangements, CBCT matching, and organ limits for long-course and short-course treatment with either bowel loops or a bowel cavity. The short-course limits come from single-institution protocols (Glasgow and Leeds). DoseLab read the January 2021 PDF.
Why this is useful
A practical national guideline covering MRI fusion, rectal volumes, SIB, VMAT arc arrangements, CBCT matching and organ limits for both long- and short-course treatment.
Reference details
- Title
- National rectal cancer intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) guidance
- Authors / organization
- The Royal College of Radiologists
- Publication / protocol
- RCR Clinical Oncology publication
- Version
- January 2021
- Year
- 2021
- DOI
- Pending verification
- Disease sites
- GI
- Topics
- Rectum, IMRT, VMAT, Short-course, Dose Constraints, Target contouring, Image registration
- Fractionation context
- Long-course (45–50.4 Gy / 25–28 fx, SIB options) and short-course (25 Gy / 5 fx)
- Last reviewed by DoseLab
- 2026-09-29