Normal Tissue Complication Probability (NTCP) dose-response models

Treatment planning in Radiotherapy has further improved with the integration of Radiobiology; The aim being to offer Patient Specific or 'tailor made' treatments for each individual patient. Radiobiology applications in treatment planning can allow us to better understand the biological effects on tumours and healthy tissue following irradiation. We can obtain qualitative information as well as quantitative about a tumour and it's surrounding healthy tissue and seek to reach the main goal of Radiotherapy, to maximize TCP and to reduce NTCP. A set of mathematical models, known as Radiobiological Dose-Response models, have been developed, to model the biological effects and complications that arise following irradiation. The overall objective is to be able to apply these in clinical practice with confidence, and ensure more successful treatments are given to patients. This book serves to assess these models and their predictive power of NTCP following irradiation of the lung. What tools do we have to analyse the predictive power of these models? What challenges do we face when using the models as a prognostic tool?Can they be used clinically with confidence?