Peer-review started: October 31, 2014
First decision: November 14, 2014
Revised: November 24, 2014
Accepted: December 29, 2014
Article in press: December 31, 2014
Published online: January 28, 2015
Processing time: 74 Days and 17.6 Hours
Core tip: Treatment assessment using magnetic resonance (MR) functional quantitative imaging is the process of using such technique before and/or during and/or after the treatment course to evaluate the changes of functional information. In the area of radiation oncology, MR functional quantitative imaging can be used to quantify radiation-induced functional changes of both radiotherapy targets and critical organs. This article briefly reviews and discusses the basic principles of MR functional quantitative imaging, recent status, critical challenges and future perspectives on radiotherapy assessment. Future clinical trials and research works are needed to further develop MR functional quantitative imaging, towards the goal of individualized radiation therapy.