Dose accumulation
A different question Heukelom addressed is about adaptive radiotherapy (ART), which is increasingly being applied in radiotherapy. ART involves the adaptation of the treatment plan during the series of treatments in order to correct for anatomical changes that have occurred. Which patients need such an adaptive approach? Her PhD research shows this can be predicted with a technique called dose accumulation and models that predict side effects. More accurately than the doctors' choice without those methods. The use of dose accumulation and such models allows for more effective use of adaptive radiotherapy, which benefits health care efficiency. It might also further improve the outcomes for patients.
On Friday November 22nd she will defend her thesis at the University of Amsterdam. Good luck Jolien!
The thesis can be downloaded here.
Practical information about the defense can be found on the website of the University of Amsterdam.