What does a 2D treatment planning system (TPS) incorporate?

A 2D treatment planning system (TPS) is designed primarily to use two-dimensional data to calculate and display dose distributions for radiation therapy. It incorporates a computation algorithm that takes into account the physical properties of the radiation beam and the patient's anatomical features to determine how the dose will be distributed across the treatment area. Such systems allow for visualizing the dose in a plane, which is beneficial for planning purposes, especially in simpler cases where three-dimensional complexities are not as critical.

The other options focus on aspects not intrinsic to a 2D TPS. While patient information in 3D, detailed patient history files, and advanced radiation shielding techniques may be relevant in more comprehensive treatment planning systems, they are not fundamental components of a 2D planning system. A 2D TPS does not typically manage three-dimensional data or offer extensive patient history or shielding calculations, emphasizing its specific role in simpler or more traditional treatment strategies.