中心型肺癌快速旋转调强与固定射野动态调强放疗的剂量学比较

目的 比较快速旋转调强(RapidArc)与固定射野动态调强(dIMRT)两种调强放疗技术在中心型肺癌治疗计划中的剂量学差异。方法 利用瓦里安(Varian)计划系统(Eclipse 8.6)随机选取10例已行dIMRT治疗的中心型肺癌患者,采用容积调强(volumetric modulated arc therapy,VMAT)治疗技术设计RapidArc调强放疗计划。在满足靶区处方剂量要求(95%体积的PTV达到66 Gy)的情况下,通过剂量体积直方图DVH评价和比较两种类型治疗计划的PTV最大剂量 D_max、最小剂量 D _min和平均剂量 D_mean以及适形指数CI,危及器官的脊髓最大剂量 D _max,双肺的 V₅、V ₁₀、 V₂₀、 V₃₀,心脏 V₃₀,食管 V₅₀、V₆₀和平均剂量 D_mean,并比较两种治疗计划的总机器跳数(MU)和治疗时间。结果 在中心型肺癌治疗计划中,与dIMRT相比较,RapidArc靶区的 D _max、 D_min和 D_mean略有升高,但统计学差异无意义( P >0.05), 适形指数CI优于dIMRT,且差异具有统计学意义(t=-4.968,P=0.001)。双肺的 V₅、V₁₀有所上升, V₂₀、 V₃₀有所下降;心脏 V₃₀受照射体积也有不同程度降低,差异均具有统计学意义。RapidArc总MU减少32%,治疗时间为dIMRT的1/3。结论 两种治疗技术所设计的治疗计划剂量分布均能满足临床治疗需要。RapidArc靶区适形度更高,实际治疗时间明显缩短,同时MU的降低减少了治疗区域正常组织的不必要照射。     

Volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy for esophageal cancer

A treatment planning study was performed to evaluate the performance of volumetric arc modulation with RapidArc (RA) against 3D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) and conventional intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) techniques for esophageal cancer. Computed tomgraphy scans of 10 patients were included in the study. 3D-CRT, 4-field IMRT, and single-arc and double-arc RA plans were generated with the aim to spare organs at risk (OAR) and healthy tissue while enforcing highly conformal target coverage. The planning objective was to deliver 54 Gy to the planning target volume (PTV) in 30 fractions. Plans were evaluated based on target conformity and dose-volume histograms of organs at risk (lung, spinal cord, and heart). The monitor unit (MU) and treatment delivery time were also evaluated to measure the treatment efficiency. The IMRT plan improves target conformity and spares OAR when compared with 3D-CRT. Target conformity improved with RA plans compared with IMRT. The mean lung dose was similar in all techniques. However, RA plans showed a reduction in the volume of the lung irradiated at V_20Gy and V_30Gy dose levels (range, 4.62–17.98%) compared with IMRT plans. The mean dose and D_35% of heart for the RA plans were better than the IMRT by 0.5–5.8%. Mean V_10Gy and integral dose to healthy tissue were almost similar in all techniques. But RA plans resulted in a reduced low-level dose bath (15–20 Gy) in the range of 14–16% compared with IMRT plans. The average MU needed to deliver the prescribed dose by RA technique was reduced by 20–25% compared with IMRT technique. The preliminary study on RA for esophageal cancers showed improvements in sparing OAR and healthy tissue with reduced beam-on time, whereas only double-arc RA offered improved target coverage compared with IMRT and 3D-CRT plans.     

Dosimetric comparison of different multileaf collimator leaves in treatment planning of intensity-modulated radiotherapy for cervical cancer

To study the effect of multileaf collimator (MLC) leaf widths (standard MLC [sMLC] width of 10 mm and micro-MLC [mMLC] width of 4 mm) on intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for cervical cancer. Between January 2010 and August 2010, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 12 patients with cervical cancer. The treatment plans for all patients were generated with the same machine setup parameters and optimization methods in a treatment planning system (TPS) based on 2 commercial Elekta MLC devices. The dose distribution for the planning tumor volume (PTV), the dose sparing for organs at risk (OARs), the monitor units (MUs), and the number of IMRT segments were evaluated. For the delivery efficiency, the MUs were significantly higher in the sMLC-IMRT plan than in the mMLC-IMRT plan (802 ± 56.9 vs 702 ± 56.7; p < 0.05). The number of segments in the plans were 58.75 ± 1.8 and 59 ± 1.04 (p > 0.05). For the planning quality, the conformity index (CI) between the 2 paired IMRT plans with the mMLC and the sMLC did not differ significantly (average: 0.817 ± 0.024 vs 0.810 ± 0.028; p > 0.05). The differences of the homogeneity index (HI) between the 2 paired plans were statistically significant (average: 1.122 ± 0.010 vs 1.132 ± 0.014; p < 0.01). For OARs, the rectum, bladder, small intestine, and bony pelvis were evaluated in terms of V₁₀, V₂₀, V₃₀, and V₄₀, percentage of contoured OAR volumes receiving 10, 20, 30, and 40 Gy, respectively, and the mean dose (D_mean) received. The IMRT plans with the mMLC protected the OARs better than the plans with the sMLC. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in evaluated parameters between the 2 paired IMRT plans, except for V₃₀ and V₄₀ of the rectum and V₁₀, V₂₀, V₄₀, and D_mean of the bladder. IMRT plans with the mMLC showed advantages over the plans with the sMLC in dose homogeneity for targets, dose sparing of OARs, and fewer MUs in cervical cancer.     

Dosimetric effect of intensity-modulated radiation therapy for postoperative non-small cell lung cancer with and without air cavity in the planning target volume

To evaluate the dosimetric effect of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for postoperative non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), with and without the air cavity in the planning target volume (PTV). Two kinds of IMRT plans were made for 21 postoperative NSCLC patients. In Plan-0: PTV included the tracheal air cavity, and in Plan-1: the air cavity was subtracted from the PTV. For PTV, the dosimetric parameters, including D_mean, D₉₈, D₉₅, D₂, D_0.2, conformity index (CI), and homogeneity index (HI) were evaluated. For organs at risk (OARs), the evaluation indexes, included the V₅, V₂₀ and the mean lung dose (MLD) of total lung, the V₃₀, V₄₀, and the mean heart dose (MHD) of heart, the spinal cord D_max, and the V₃₅ and the mean esophageal dose (MED) of esophagus. The number of segments and MUs were also recorded. Additionally, the correlation between the Plan-1 dosimetric change value relative to Plan-0, the size of air cavity, and the volume proportion of the cavity in the PTV was also analyzed. The D_mean of PTV, D₂, D_0.2, HI and CI in Plan-1 decreased compared with those in Plan-0. For OARs, the V₃₀, MHD, and MED also decreased. The CI change value of Plan-1 relative to Plan-0 had a significantly negative correlation with the size and the volume proportion of air cavity, and the MED change value also had a significantly negative correlation with the air cavity size. The IMRT plans for patients with postoperative NSCLC can achieve a better target dose distribution and offer an improved sparing of the heart and esophagus by removing the PTV air cavity, while reducing the target conformity. The change value of CI and MED had a significantly negative correlation with the air cavity size.     

浸润型胸腺瘤术后单能与混合能量光子束调强放疗计划剂量学分析

目的 比较浸润型胸腺瘤术后患者单能与混合能量光子束调强放射治疗(IMRT)计划之间剂量学差异,探讨混合能量光子束计划在临床的应用价值。方法 随机抽取12例胸腺瘤术后病例的CT定位图像,在治疗计划系统上勾画临床靶体积(CTV)并外扩为计划靶体积(PTV)、危及器官(OAR)及其他正常组织。每个病例分别制定6和10 MV与混合能量光子束的3种固定野调强放疗(FF-IMRT)计划,优化与计算剂量后统计各种计划的机器跳数(MU),并使用剂量体积直方图(DVH)工具比较PTV的体积剂量、适形指数(CI)、均匀指数(HI)和OAR剂量。结果 PTV近似最大剂量D_2%混合能量光子束计划优于6 MV光子束(t=3.107,P <0.05);6 MV光子束HI与混合能量光子束计划比较,差异有统计学意义(t=2.924,P<0.05);CI三者之间差异均有统计学意义。6 MV计划的MU大于10 MV及混合光子束计划。双侧肺V₅、V₁₀、V₂₀、V₃₀和平均剂量(D_mean)指标各个类型计划之间大部分差异有统计学意义,且混合能量光子束计划优于其他两种计划。心脏V₃₀、V₄₀指标6 MV与混合光子计划的结果接近,但均优于10 MV光子束的计划。结论 混合能量光子束IMRT计划如果合理选择射野角度和射野数量,依据入射角度选择光子束的能量,可充分利用低能及高能光子束的不同特点,总体上可以改善IMRT计划的质量,对于浸润型胸腺瘤术后病例具有一定的临床参考价值。     

Spot-scanning beam proton therapy vs intensity-modulated radiation therapy for ipsilateral head and neck malignancies: A treatment planning comparison

Radiation therapy for head and neck malignancies can have side effects that impede quality of life. Theoretically, proton therapy can reduce treatment-related morbidity by minimizing the dose to critical normal tissues. We evaluated the feasibility of spot-scanning proton therapy for head and neck malignancies and compared dosimetry between those plans and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans. Plans from 5 patients who had undergone IMRT for primary tumors of the head and neck were used for planning proton therapy. Both sets of plans were prepared using computed tomography (CT) scans with the goals of achieving 100% of the prescribed dose to the clinical target volume (CTV) and 95% to the planning TV (PTV) while maximizing conformity to the PTV. Dose-volume histograms were generated and compared, as were conformity indexes (CIs) to the PTVs and mean doses to the organs at risk (OARs). Both modalities in all cases achieved 100% of the dose to the CTV and 95% to the PTV. Mean PTV CIs were comparable (0.371 IMRT, 0.374 protons, p = 0.953). Mean doses were significantly lower in the proton plans to the contralateral submandibular (638.7 cGy IMRT, 4.3 cGy protons, p = 0.002) and parotid (533.3 cGy IMRT, 48.5 cGy protons, p = 0.003) glands; oral cavity (1760.4 cGy IMRT, 458.9 cGy protons, p = 0.003); spinal cord (2112.4 cGy IMRT, 249.2 cGy protons, p = 0.002); and brainstem (1553.52 cGy IMRT, 166.2 cGy protons, p = 0.005). Proton plans also produced lower maximum doses to the spinal cord (3692.1 cGy IMRT, 2014.8 cGy protons, p = 0.034) and brainstem (3412.1 cGy IMRT, 1387.6 cGy protons, p = 0.005). Normal tissue V₁₀, V₃₀, and V₅₀ values were also significantly lower in the proton plans. We conclude that spot-scanning proton therapy can significantly reduce the integral dose to head and neck critical structures. Prospective studies are underway to determine if this reduced dose translates to improved quality of life.     

Comparative dosimetric and radiobiological assessment among a nonstandard RapidArc,standard RapidArc,classical intensity-modulated radiotherapy,and 3D brachytherapy for the treatment of the vaginal vault in patients affected by gynecologic cancer

To evaluate a nonstandard RapidArc (RA) modality as alternative to high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BRT) or IMRT treatments of the vaginal vault in patients with gynecological cancer (GC). Nonstandard (with vaginal applicator) and standard (without vaginal applicator) RapidArc plans for 27 women with GC were developed to compare with HDR-BRT and IMRT. Dosimetric and radiobiological comparison were performed by means of dose-volume histogram and equivalent uniform dose (EUD) for planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OARs). In addition, the integral dose and the overall treatment times were evaluated. RA, as well as IMRT, results in a high uniform dose on PTV compared with HDR-BRT. However, the average of EUD for HDR-BRT was significantly higher than those with RA and IMRT. With respect to the OARs, standard RA was equivalent of IMRT but inferior to HDR-BRT. Furthermore, nonstandard RA was comparable with IMRT for bladder and sigmoid and better than HDR-BRT for the rectum because of a significant reduction of d_2cc, d_1cc, and d_max (p < 0.01). Integral doses were always higher than HDR-BRT, although the values were very low. Delivery times were about the same and more than double for HDR-BRT compared with IMRT and RA, respectively. In conclusion, the boost of dose on vaginal vault in patients affected by GC delivered by a nonstandard RA technique was a reasonable alternative to the conventional HDR-BRT because of a reduction of delivery time and rectal dose at substantial comparable doses for the bladder and sigmoid. However HDR-BRT provides better performance in terms of PTV coverage as evidenced by a greater EUD.     

Radiation therapy of synchronous bilateral breast carcinoma (SBBC) using multiple techniques

The purpose of this study was to establish intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatment plans for synchronous bilateral breast cancer (SBBC) and to compare those plans with the previous treatment plans using 3D conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT). The differences among the treatments were also statistically compared regarding dosimetry distribution and treatment efficiency. The research was conducted with 10 SBBC patients. The study established IMRT (12 fields with a single isocenter) and VMAT (2 partial arcs with a single isocenter) treatment plans for SBBC patients and then compared those plans with 3DCRT (8 fields with multiple isocenters). The plans were evaluated based on a dose-volume histogram analysis. For planning target volumes (PTVs), the mean doses and the values of V_95%, V_105%, conformity index, and homogeneity index were reported. For the organs at risk, the analysis included the mean dose, maximum dose, and V_XGy, depending on the organs (lungs, heart, and liver). To objectively evaluate the efficiency of the treatment plans, each plan's beam times, treatment times (including set-up time), and monitor units were compared. Tukey test and one-way analysis of variance were used to compare the PTV and organs at risk values of the 3 techniques. Additionally, the independent-samples t-test was used to compare the 2 techniques (IMRT and VMAT) based on the values of Rt. PTV and Lt. PTV (p?<?0.05). For PTV dose distribution, IMRT showed increases of approximately 1.2% in D_mean and of approximately 5.7% in V_95% dose distribution compared with 3DCRT. In comparison to VMAT, 3DCRT showed about 3.0% higher dose distribution in D_mean and V_95%. IMRT was the best in terms of conformity index and homogeneity index (p?<?0.05), whereas 3DCRT and VMAT did not significantly differ from each other. In terms of dose distribution on lungs, heart, and liver, the percentage of volume at high doses such as V_30Gy and V_40Gy was approximately 70% lower for IMRT and approximately 40% lower for VMAT than for 3DCRT. For distribution volumes of low doses such as V_5% and V_10%, that for 3DCRT was approximately 60% smaller than for IMRT and approximately 70% smaller than for VMAT. Comparison between IMRT and VMAT showed that the IMRT was superior in all distribution factors. VMAT showed better treatment efficiency than 3DCRT or IMRT. Among the SBBC radiotherapy treatment plans, IMRT was superior to 3DCRT and VMAT in terms of PTV dose distribution, whereas VMAT showed the most outstanding treatment efficiency.     

Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy vs. IMRT for the Treatment of Distal Esophageal Cancer

Several studies have demonstrated that volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) has the ability to reduce monitor units and treatment time when compared with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). This study aims to demonstrate that VMAT is able to provide adequate organs at risk (OAR) sparing and planning target volume (PTV) coverage for adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus while reducing monitor units and treatment time. Fourteen patients having been treated previously for esophageal cancer were planned using both VMAT and IMRT techniques. Dosimetric quality was evaluated based on doses to several OARs, as well as coverage of the PTV. Treatment times were assessed by recording the number of monitor units required for dose delivery. Body V₅ was also recorded to evaluate the increased volume of healthy tissue irradiated to low doses. Dosimetric differences in OAR sparing between VMAT and IMRT were comparable. PTV coverage was similar for the 2 techniques but it was found that IMRT was capable of delivering a slightly more homogenous dose distribution. Of the 14 patients, 12 were treated with a single arc and 2 were treated with a double arc. Single-arc plans reduced monitor units by 42% when compared with the IMRT plans. Double-arc plans reduced monitor units by 67% when compared with IMRT. The V₅ for the body was found to be 18% greater for VMAT than for IMRT. VMAT has the capability to decrease treatment times over IMRT while still providing similar OAR sparing and PTV coverage. Although there will be a smaller risk of patient movement during VMAT treatments, this advantage comes at the cost of delivering small doses to a greater volume of the patient.     

三维适形、逆向调强和旋转调强放疗技术治疗胸段食管癌的剂量学比较

目的 比较胸段食管癌3种放疗技术( 3D-CRT、IMRT、RapidArc)的剂量学特点,并分析3种技术的优劣及应用特点.方法 15例胸段食管癌患者入组,依据CT图像,勾画靶区,针对患者的同一套CT图像的相同靶区分别制定3D-CRT、5野IMRT(IMRT5)、7野IMRT( IMRT7)、9野IMRT(IMRT9)、单弧Arc( Arc1)、双弧Arc( Arc2)共6套计划.PTV处方剂量为40 Gy分20次4周+19.6 Gy分14次7d.结果 3D-CRT计划各项靶区剂量学参数明显差于IMRT计划及RapidArc计划(t=5.77、3.52,P＜0.05),6套计划的PTV V95(％)分别为:3D-CRT (91.55 ±2.90),IMRT5(96.66±1.05),IMRT7 (96.87±1.23),IMRT (96.81±1.16),Arcl (94.98±1.41),Arc2 (95.93±1.32).RapidArc计划的靶区适形度(CI)最好(t=3.76,10.01,P＜0.05),IMRT计划的靶区均匀性(HI)最好(t =3.93、3.37,P＜0.05).危及器官参数RapidArc与IMRT各计划之间差异无统计学意义.3D-CRT和RapidArc计划的机器跳数明显少于IMRT计划,差异高达75％.结论 对于胸段食管癌患者,采用IMRT或RapidArc技术可以在保护正常组织的同时,涵盖临床必需的治疗靶区.3D-CRT计划对降低正常组织低剂量散射区方面优势明显.RapidArc计划靶区剂量学参数与IMRT计划比较未见明显优势.     

旋转调强与固定野调强治疗肝癌的剂量学比较

目的 比较旋转调强(RapidArc)与固定野调强放疗(IMRT)在肝癌治疗计划中的剂量学差异。方法 选择10例肝癌患者的CT数据,分别设计IMRT计划与单弧(RA1)和双弧(RA2)计划,比较设计计划的靶区剂量分布、危及器官受量、正常组织受量、机器跳数以及治疗时间。结果 RA1和RA2计划靶区剂量的最大值都低于IMRT(Z=-2.090、-2.666,P＜0.05),计划90%的处方剂量的适形指数低于IMRT(Z=-2.805、-2.809,P＜0.05);危及器官胃与小肠的V40也比IMRT计划低。但IMRT左肾平均剂量低于RapidArc计划组(Z=-1.988、-2.191,P＜0.05);正常组织的V₅、V₁₀和V₁₅IMRT计划低于RapidArc计划组,V20、V25和V30IMRT计划高于RapidArc计划组。RapidArc计划机器跳数是IMRT计划的40%和46%,治疗时间是IMRT计划30%和40%。结论 两种技术设计的计划剂量分布均能满足临床要求,并且剂量分布基本一致。RapidArc计划的适形指数优于IMRT,危及器官剂量也比IMRT计划略有降低,正常组织的低剂量区RapidArc计划组与IMRT相比有先高后低的趋势,并且机器跳数少,治疗时间短。     

Pelvic Ewing sarcomas

Purpose

The goal of the present work was to assess the potential advantage of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) over three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) planning in pelvic Ewing’s sarcoma.

Patients and methods

A total of 8 patients with Ewing sarcoma of the pelvis undergoing radiotherapy were analyzed. Plans for 3D-CRT and IMRT were calculated for each patient. Dose coverage of the planning target volume (PTV), conformity and homogeneity indices, as well as further parameters were evaluated.

Results

The average dose coverage values for PTV were comparable in 3D-CRT and IMRT plans. Both techniques had a PTV coverage of V₉₅ >?98?% in all patients. Whereas the IMRT plans achieved a higher conformity index compared to the 3D-CRT plans (conformity index 0.79?±?0.12 vs. 0.54?±?0.19, p?=?0.012), the dose distribution across the target volumes was less homogeneous with IMRT planning than with 3D-CRT planning. This difference was statistically significant (homogeneity index 0.11?±?0.03 vs. 0.07?±?0.0, p?=?0.035). For the bowel, D_mean and D_1%, as well as V₂ to V₆₀ were reduced in IMRT plans. For the bladder and the rectum, there was no significant difference in D_mean. However, the percentages of volumes receiving at least doses of 30, 40, 45, and 50 Gy (V₃₀ to V₅₀) were lower for the rectum in IMRT plans. The volume of normal tissue receiving at least 2 Gy (V₂) was significantly higher in IMRT plans compared with 3D-CRT, whereas at high dose levels (V₃₀) it was significantly lower.

Conclusion

Compared to 3D-CRT, IMRT showed significantly better results regarding dose conformity (p?=?0.012) and bowel sparing at dose levels above 30 Gy (p?=?0.012). Thus, dose escalation in the radiotherapy of pelvic Ewing’s sarcoma can be more easily achieved using IMRT.     

Chest wall radiotherapy with volumetric modulated arcs and the potential role of flattening filter free photon beams

Purpose

The goal of the work was to assess the role of RapidArc treatments in chest wall irradiation after mastectomy and determine the potential benefit of flattening filter free beams.

Methods and material

Planning CT scans of 10?women requiring post-mastectomy chest wall radiotherapy were included in the study. A dose of 50?Gy in 2?Gy fractions was prescribed. Organs at risk (OARs) delineated were heart, lungs, contralateral breast, and spinal cord. Dose–volume metrics were defined to quantify the quality of concurrent treatment plans assessing target coverage and sparing of OARs. Plans were designed for conformal 3D therapy (3DCRT) or for RapidArc with double partial arcs (RA). RapidArc plans were optimized for both conventional beams as well as for unflattened beams (RAF). The goal for this planning effort was to cover 100% of the planning target volume (PTV) with ≥?90% of the prescribed dose and to minimize the volume inside the PTV receiving >?105% of the dose. The mean ipsilateral lung dose was required to be lower than 15?Gy and V_20?Gy?Results All techniques met planning objectives for PTV and for lung (3DCRT marginally failed for V_20?Gy). RA plans showed superiority compared to 3DCRT in the medium to high dose region for the ipsilateral lung. Heart irradiation was minimized by RAF plans with ~4.5?Gy and ~15?Gy reduction in maximum dose compared to RA and 3DCRT, respectively. RAF resulted in superior plans compared to RA with respect to contralateral breast and lung with a reduction of ~1.7?Gy and 1.0?Gy in the respective mean doses.

Conclusion

RapidArc treatment resulted in acceptable plan quality with superior ipsilateral tissue sparing compared to traditional techniques. Flattening filter free beams, recently made available for clinical use, might provide further healthy tissue sparing, particularly in contralateral organs, suggesting their applicability for large and complex targets.     

RapidArc radiotherapy planning for prostate cancer: Single-arc and double-arc techniques vs. intensity-modulated radiotherapy

RapidArc is a novel technique using arc radiotherapy aiming to achieve intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)-quality radiotherapy plans with shorter treatment time. This study compared the dosimetric quality and treatment efficiency of single-arc (SA) vs. double-arc (DA) and IMRT in the treatment of prostate cancer. Fourteen patients were included in the analysis. The planning target volume (PTV), which contained the prostate gland and proximal seminal vesicles, received 76 Gy in 38 fractions. Seven-field IMRT, SA, and DA plans were generated for each patient. Dosimetric quality in terms of the minimum PTV dose, PTV hotspot, inhomogeneity, and conformity index; and sparing of rectum, bladder, and femoral heads as measured by V70, V-40, and V20 (% of volume receiving >70 Gy, 40 Gy, and 20 Gy, respectively), treatment efficiency as assessed by monitor units (MU) and treatment time were compared. All plan objectives were met satisfactorily by all techniques. DA achieved the best dosimetric quality with the highest minimum PTV dose, lowest hotspot, and the best homogeneity and conformity. It was also more efficient than IMRT. SA achieved the highest treatment efficiency with the lowest MU and shortest treatment time. The mean treatment time for a 2-Gy fraction was 4.80 min, 2.78 min, and 1.30 min for IMRT, DA, and SA, respectively. However, SA also resulted in the highest rectal dose. DA could improve target volume coverage and reduce treatment time and MU while maintaining equivalent normal tissue sparing when compared with IMRT. SA achieved the greatest treatment efficiency but with the highest rectal dose, which was nonetheless within tolerable limits. For busy units with high patient throughput, SA could be an acceptable option.     

Dosimetric research on intensity-modulated arc radiotherapy planning for left breast cancer after breast-preservation surgery

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has played an important role in breast cancer radiotherapy after breast-preservation surgery. Our aim was to study the dosimetric and implementation features/feasibility between IMRT and intensity-modulated arc radiotherapy (Varian RapidArc, Varian, Palo Alto, CA). The forward IMRT plan (f-IMRT), the inverse IMRT, and the RapidArc plan (RA) were generated for 10 patients. Afterward, we compared the target dose distribution of the 3 plans, radiation dose on organs at risk, monitor units, and treatment time. All 3 plans met clinical requirements, with RA performing best in target conformity. In target homogeneity, there was no statistical significance between RA and IMRT, but both of homogeneity were less than f-IMRT's. With regard to the V₅ and V₁₀ of the left lung, those in RA were higher than in f-IMRT but were lower than in IMRT; for V₂₀ and V₃₀, the lowest was observed in RA; and in the V₅ and V₁₀ of the right lung, as well as the mean dose in normal-side breast and right lung, there was no statistically significance difference between RA and IMRT, and the lowest value was observed in f-IMRT. As for the maximum dose in the normal-side breast, the lowest value was observed in RA. Regarding monitor units (MUs), those in RA were higher than in f-IMRT but were lower than in IMRT. Treatment time of RA was 84.6% and 88.23% shorter than f-IMRT and IMRT, respectively, on average. Compared with f-IMRT and IMRT, RA performed better in target conformity and can reduce high-dose volume in the heart and left lung—which are related to complications—significantly shortening treatment time as well. Compared with IMRT, RA can also significantly reduce low-dose volume and MUs of the afflicted lung.     

Optimization of Stereotactic Radiotherapy Treatment Delivery Technique for Base-Of-Skull Meningiomas

This study compares static conformal field (CF), intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and dynamic arcs (DA) for the stereotactic radiotherapy of base-of-skull meningiomas. Twenty-one cases of base-of-skull meningioma (median planning target volume [PTV] = 21.3 cm³) previously treated with stereotactic radiotherapy were replanned with each technique. The plans were compared for Radiation Therapy Oncology Group conformity index (CI) and homogeneity index (HI), and doses to normal structures at 6 dose values from 50.4 Gy to 5.6 Gy. The mean CI was 1.75 (CF), 1.75 (DA), and 1.66 (IMRT) (p < 0.05 when comparing IMRT to either CF or DA plans). The CI (IMRT) was inversely proportional to the size of the PTV (Spearman's rho = −0.53, p = 0.01) and at PTV sizes above 25 cm³, the CI (IMRT) was always superior to CI (DA) and CI (CF). At PTV sizes below 25 cm³, there was no significant difference in CI between each technique. There was no significant difference in HI between plans. The total volume of normal tissue receiving 50.4, 44.8, and 5.6 Gy was significantly lower when comparing IMRT to CF and DA plans (p < 0.05). There was significantly improved dose sparing for the brain stem and ipsilateral temporal lobe with IMRT but no significant difference for the optic chiasm or pituitary gland. These results demonstrate that stereotactic IMRT should be considered to treat base-of-skull meningiomas with a PTV larger than 25 cm³, due to improved conformity and normal tissue sparing, in particular for the brain stem and ipsilateral temporal lobe.