射线能量对子宫内膜癌调强放疗计划质量的影响

目的 研究射线能量对子宫内膜癌术后全盆腔调强放射治疗计划质量的影响。方法 选择10例子宫内膜癌术后患者,对每例患者分别设计6和18 MV的全盆腔调强放射治疗计划。所有计划均使用相同的布野方案和剂量体积约束。比较两组计划的靶区、危及器官和正常组织的剂量分布。结果 6和18 MV计划的平均PTV₁₀₀分别是95.6%和95.3% (检验值P=0.26), D_mean分别是52.55 Gy和52.60 Gy(P=0.54),适形指数分别是0.87 和 0.88 (P=0.03),均匀性指数均为1.10 (P=0.38)。18 MV计划较6 MV计划正常组织的平均积分剂量下降了2.4% (P=0.001),小肠和结肠的平均V₃₀和V₅₀分别下降了4.2% (P=0.006)和3.3% (P=0.046),其他危及器官的剂量分布间差异无统计学意义。结论 对于子宫内膜癌的术后全盆腔调强放射治疗,18 MV计划比6 MV计划剂量分布的适形度更好,能够更好地保护正常组织、小肠和结肠。两组计划靶区的覆盖度和剂量分布的均匀性,以及直肠、膀胱和盆腔骨的保护相当。     

调强适形照射技术对前列腺癌放射治疗剂量学的意义

目的 :通过三维放射治疗计划系统分别采用不同照射技术设计 ,以探讨调强适形放射治疗技术 (IMRT)的最佳剂量分布。方法 :选取一前列腺癌病例 ,对其分别进行常规、适形和调强适形三种放射治疗计划的设计 ,利用剂量体积曲线图 (DVH)等方法评价不同技术对肿瘤靶区和正常组织受照剂量的结果 ,治疗剂量为 3 0Gy。结果 :在得到相同处方剂量的前提下 ,直肠和膀胱受照剂量 >2 0Gy的体积百分比 ,常规计划照射分别为 82 %和 85 % ;适形计划照射分别为 68%和3 5 % ;而调强适形计划照射则均为 3 2 %。结论 :虽然三种放射治疗技术均能满足肿瘤靶区的剂量学要求 ,但对正常组织的受照剂量则有很大的差异 ,IMRT剂量分布对正常组织的保护有明显的优势。     

调强适形放疗结合俯卧位减少小肠受照剂量的临床评价

目的:评价盆腔调强适形放射疗法(IMRT)结合俯卧位加置腹部平板治疗妇科恶性肿瘤时是否可以更大程度上减少小肠的受照剂量.方法:13例妇科恶性肿瘤患者,其中子宫颈癌10例,子宫内膜癌3例,均给予盆腔放射治疗.放疗前均行仰卧位和俯卧位腹、盆部CT扫描.正常组织兴趣区包括小肠、大肠和膀胱.IMRT治疗方案使用180°弧形调强技术和340°弧形调强技术.运用t检验分别比较小肠、大肠和膀胱在仰卧位和俯卧位时的受照剂量.结果:运用180°弧形调强技术时,俯卧位加置腹部平板有助于小肠的旷置,小肠的受照剂量在俯卧位比仰卧位减少12～26 Gy;运用340°弧形调强技术时,俯卧位小肠受照剂量减少不明显;大肠和膀胱在仰卧位和俯卧位的受照剂量差异均无显著性意义.结论:妇科恶性肿瘤盆腔180°弧形调强技术结合俯卧位加置腹部平板的方法可以减少小肠的受照剂量,具有临床实用价值.     

俯卧盆腔固定装置在妇科肿瘤调强放疗计划中的剂量学影响

目的研究俯卧盆腔固定装置对妇科肿瘤调强放射治疗剂量学的影响。方法回顾性分析2020年8月至2021年6月在中山大学附属第三医院接受放疗的宫颈癌和子宫内膜癌患者共20例, 每位患者均采取两种方法勾画外轮廓, 第1种仅包含患者轮廓, 第2种包含患者轮廓和固定装置。每例患者在放疗计划系统(TPS)中分别用两组轮廓计算相同的7野调强计划, 通过剂量体积直方图(DVH)和计划相减来比较不带固定装置计划Planwithout和带固定装置计划Planwith间剂量学差异。在仿真人模体中使用EBT3胶片验证实际点剂量, 并分别比较其与上述两个计划剂量的差异。结果 Planwith的靶区100%、98%处方剂量的覆盖体积V50 Gy、V49 Gy和均值Dmean分别下降了19.75%、7.99%和2.54%(t = 8.96、10.49、22.09, P<0.01);皮肤的V40Gy、V30Gy、V20Gy、V15Gy和Dmean分别上升了51.79%、51.05%、45.72%、33.63%和10.80%(t = -2.54、-5.63、-15.57、-24.06、-13.88, P<0....     

上胸段食管癌调强放射治疗中淋巴结意外照射的剂量学研究

目的比较上胸段食管癌容积旋转调强放射治疗(VMAT)与5野的静态调强放射治疗(5F-IMRT)在淋巴结意外照射中的剂量学差异,评估两种方式在上胸段食管癌放射治疗中的剂量学特点。方法选取20例典型的上胸段食管癌患者,在进行靶区勾画时,肿瘤区(GTV)、临床靶区(CTV)不包含所有淋巴结,而将淋巴结单独勾画作为正常组织。对这20例患者分别制定两套计划,即VMAT与5F-IMRT,主要的计划评估参数为靶区的适形指数(CI)、均匀指数(HI),以及接受相应处方剂量水平照射体积百分比V95、V110;危及器官(OAR)评估包括肺的Dmean、V5、V20、V30,心脏的Dmean、V25,脊髓的Dmax,机器调数(MU)。同时评估各个淋巴结的等效均衡剂量(EUD)与接受40 Gy照射剂量的体积百分比V40。结果5F-IMRT计划在V95%上具有较高的计划靶区(PTV)剂量覆盖率(t=-9.4,P<0.05),VMAT计划的适形指数(CI)优于5F-IMRT(t=-5.3,P<0.05);5F-IMRT计划较VMAT计划降低平均肺V510.9%(t=-7.8,P<0.05),降低平均脊髓Dmax 9%(t=-10.2,P<0.05);VMAT计划较5F-IMRT计划降低平均MU 18.6%(t=-6.2,P<0.05);5F-IMRT计划在所有上胸段淋巴结区域的平均EUD值为32.3~61.5 Gy,较VMAT计划(32.5~61.1 Gy)提高4.7%,平均V40提高2.4%。各个上胸段淋巴结区域除左气管支气管淋巴结(106tbL)外的意外照射剂量,与PTV的体积大小充分相关(R=0.716~0.933,P<0.05)。结论5F-IMRT的放射治疗计划在上胸段食管癌淋巴结意外照射中更具剂量学优势,且肿瘤靶区较大的患者淋巴结区域具有更高的辐射剂量。     

脑胶质瘤三维适形放射治疗与调强放射治疗的剂量学比较

目的 评价脑胶质瘤调强放射治疗较三维适形放射治疗的剂量学优势.方法 本研究采用10例脑胶质瘤患者,针对所有患者分别进行3D CRT和IMRT的计划设计,利用剂量体积直方图评价不同照射技术中靶区和正常组织照射剂量、适形度指数和不均匀性指数.处方剂量为60 Gy.结果 IMRT计划脑干最大剂量和受照体积、患侧腮腺平均剂量和脊髓最大剂量均低于3D CRT计划.对于靶区适形度指数,IMRT计划优于3D CRT计划;对于不均匀性指数,两种计划模式的差异没有统计学意义.结论 在脑胶质瘤放疗中应用IMRT可以明显降低脑干的剂量和受照体积,为靶区剂量的提高提供了可能性.     

中下段食管癌调强放疗布野方案剂量学比较

目的 分析中下段食管癌放疗中5野调强计划与7野调强计划的差异,寻找布野最佳方案.方法 分别为接受调强放射治疗的12例中下段食管癌患者设计5野调强计划与7野调强计划,计划设计中要求95％的计划靶体积达到处方剂量.在每个病例中,分别比较两种计划的剂量体积直方图统计数据、剂量均匀指数、剂量适形指数.结果 两种方案中,7野调强计划的靶区剂量适形度较好(t=2.681,P＜0.05);两种方案的剂量均匀指数、脊髓受照剂量、心脏受照剂量之间的差异无统计学意义;5野调强计划的双肺V5、V10、V15较低(t=-7.938、-12.055和4.859,P均＜0.05).结论 在中下段食管癌放疗中,与7野调强计划相比,5野调强计划可以减少肺部的低剂量受照体积,同时提供可以接受的计划靶体积适形度,有助于减少肺部辐射损伤的发生概率,改善患者生存质量,值得在临床工作中推广应用.     

直肠癌术后三种不同放疗计划的剂量学比较

目的 探讨直肠癌术后螺旋断层放疗(HT)、静态调强放疗(IMRT)及三维适形放疗(3D-CRT)的剂量学特点,为临床选择直肠癌术后放疗方法提供依据.方法 回顾性选取10例Ⅱ、Ⅲ期中低位直肠癌切除术(Dixon手术)后患者,在其CT定位图像上勾画靶区及危及器官,并进行HT、IMRT及3D-CRT计划设计.要求至少95％的PTV达到处方剂量为50 Gy.结果 3种治疗计划均能满足处方剂量要求;除3D-CRT计划外,HT计划与IMRT计划均能较好地满足各危及器官剂量限制要求.HT、IMRT、3D-CRT计划的适形度指数CI分别为0.86、0.82和0.62(F=206.81,P＜0.001),剂量均匀性指数(HI)分别为0.001、0.157和0.205(x2 =15.8,P＜0.001).3D-CRT计划骨盆V50、膀胱V40、小肠V50、股骨头D5明显高于IMRT与HT计划(P＜0.05),而后两者差别无统计学意义.HT计划小肠V15大于IMRT计划与3D-CRT计划(71.1％ vs.63.3％、67.7％),差异无统计学意义.结论 HT、IM RT及3D-CRT3种治疗计划均可满足直肠癌靶区处方剂量要求.HT计划适形度和均匀性最好,其次为IMRT计划,3D-CRT计划最差.HT计划满足所有危及器官的剂量限制,对正常组织的保护略优于IMRT计划.3D-CRT计划简便、实用性强,但对危及器官的保护较差.     

基于元启发策略的肿瘤调强放疗自动计划方法

目的提出一种基于元启发策略的放疗自动计划方法(ATP-STAR),并验证其有效性。方法ATP-STAR方法的主要过程为先对优化参数进行向量化编码,采用高斯卷积修正优化参数,再利用模拟退火选择备选优化参数向量集,结合射野通量优化,并行探索最优的优化参数组合,实现计划自动试错。选取20例肿瘤个体化差异较大的病例进行方法测试。邀请具备5年以上临床工作经验的物理师进行人工计划设计。人工计划和ATP-STAR计划均基于开源matRad计划系统完成,射野及处方剂量与临床治疗计划保持一致。分析不同病种ATP-STAR与人工计划的靶区和危及器官剂量学差异。结果对靶区而言,ATP-STAR计划的均匀性优于人工计划(脑瘤:z=2.28,P=0.022;肺癌:z=2.29,P=0.022;肝癌:z=2.11,P=0.035),脑瘤和肝癌ATP-STAR计划的适形性与人工计划相当,肺癌ATP-STAR计划的适形性略差于人工计划(z=2.29,P=0.022)。对脑瘤的危及器官而言,相比于人工计划,ATP-STAR计划的左眼晶状体Dmean平均受量由2.19 Gy降至1.76 Gy(z=2.28,P=0.022),左视神经Dmean由11.36 Gy降至10.22 Gy(z=2.28,P=0.022),右视神经Dmax由32.92 Gy降至29.97 Gy(z=2.10,P=0.036),垂体Dmax由39.53 Gy降至35.21 Gy(z=2.29,P=0.022)。对肺癌的危及器官而言,ATP-STAR计划的脊髓Dmax平均受量由38 Gy降至31.17 Gy(z=2.12,P=0.034),双肺Dmean由8.51 Gy降至8.07 Gy(z=2.29,P=0.022),心脏Dmean由3.21 Gy降至2.69 Gy(z=2.29,P=0.022)。对肝癌的危及器官而言,ATP-STAR计划的脊髓Dmax由18.19 Gy降至14.76 Gy(z=2.11,P=0.035),肝脏Dmean由15.61 Gy降至14.45 Gy(z=2.11,P=0.035),肾脏Dmean由4.76 Gy降至4.04 Gy(z=2.10,P=0.036)。结论ATP-STAR方法较少依赖人工计划设计经验,易于推广,有望改善调强放疗计划质量及一致性,并节省临床人力和时间成本。     

直肠癌盆腔放疗后肠受照射影响因素的研究

目的 评价体位、性别、手术、膀胱充盈状态对直肠癌放疗后肠受照射的影响。方法36例直肠癌患者被研究，盆腔放疗采用1后2侧野三维适形放射治疗（3DCRT）的方法，处方剂量为50Gy。利用每个计划的剂量．体积直方图（DVH）对盆腔内肠的受照剂量和体积进行分析。结果膀胱充盈差和好时肠受照射的平均剂量分别是23．8和18．3Gy（P=0．004），V45高剂量受照体积分别是15．7％和7．8％（P=O．004）；体位仅对肠V15，低剂量受照体积有显著影响；性别对肠受照射的最大剂量和V15，有显著影响；手术对肠受照射的平均剂量有显著影响，分别是术前19．0Gy和术后22．5Gy（P=0．015）；在仰卧或俯卧、术前或术后膀胱充盈好时均比差时肠受照射剂量要低或体积要小。膀胱充盈好和差时肠受到高剂量照射的体积V4，在俯卧位分别是15．3％和7．4％（P=0．023），术后分别是14．1％和7．2％（P=0．014），差异有统计学意义。结论 患者治疗体位、性别、手术对盆腔内肠受照射剂量和体积有一定的影响，膀胱充盈状态有显著影响。     

The Impact of IMRT and Proton Radiotherapy on Secondary Cancer Incidence

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There is concern about the increase of radiation-induced malignancies with the application of modern radiation treatment techniques such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and proton radiotherapy. Therefore, X-ray scatter and neutron radiation as well as the impact of the primary dose distribution on secondary cancer incidence are analyzed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The organ equivalent dose (OED) concept with a linear-exponential and a plateau dose-response curve was applied to dose distributions of 30 patients who received radiation therapy of prostate cancer. Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy was used in eleven patients, another eleven patients received IMRT with 6-MV photons, and eight patients were treated with spot-scanned protons. The treatment plans were recalculated with 15-MV and 18-MV photons. Secondary cancer risk was estimated based on the OED for the different treatment techniques. RESULTS: A modest increase of 15% radiation-induced cancer results from IMRT using low energies (6 MV), compared to conventional four-field planning with 15-MV photons (plateau dose-response: 1%). The probability to develop a secondary cancer increases with IMRT of higher energies by 20% and 60% for 15 MV and 18 MV, respectively (plateau dose-response: 2% and 30%). The use of spot-scanned protons can reduce secondary cancer incidence as much as 50% (independent of dose-response). CONCLUSION: By including the primary dose distribution into the analysis of radiation-induced cancer incidence, the resulting increase in risk for secondary cancer using modern treatment techniques such as IMRT is not as dramatic as expected from earlier studies. By using 6-MV photons, only a moderate risk increase is expected. Spot-scanned protons are the treatment of choice in regard to secondary cancer incidence.     

Comparative evaluation of treatment plan quality for a prototype biology-guided radiotherapy system in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

We aimed to compare prototype treatment plans for a new biology-guided radiotherapy (BgRT) machine in its intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) mode with those using existing IMRT delivery techniques in treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We retrospectively selected ten previous NPC patients treated in 33 fractions according to the NRG-HN001 treatment protocol. Three treatment plans were generated for each patient: a helical tomotherapy (HT) plan with a 2.5-cm jaw, a volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plan using 2 to 4 6-MV arc fields, and a prototype IMRT plan for a new BgRT system which uses a 6-MV photon beam on a ring gantry that rotates at 60 rotations per minute with a couch that moves in small incremental steps. Treatment plans were compared using dosimetric parameters to planning target volumes (PTVs) and organs at risk (OARs) as specified by the NRG-HN001 protocol. Plans for the three modalities had comparable dose coverage, mean dose, and dose heterogeneity to the primary PTV, while the prototype IMRT plans had greater dose heterogeneity to the non-primary PTVs, with the average homogeneity index ranging from 1.28 to 1.50 in the prototype plans. Six of all the 7 OAR mean dose parameters were lower with statistical significance in the prototype plans compared to the HT and VMAT plans with the other mean dose parameter being comparable, and all the 18 OAR maximum dose parameters were comparable or lower with statistical significance in the prototype plans. The average left and right parotid mean doses in the prototype plans were 10.5 Gy and 10.4 Gy lower than those in the HT plans, respectively, and were 5.1 Gy and 5.2 Gy lower than those in the VMAT plans, respectively. Compared to that with the HT and VMAT plans, the treatment time was longer with statistical significance with the prototype IMRT plans. Based on dosimetric comparison of ten NPC cases, the prototype IMRT plans achieved comparable or better critical organ sparing compared to the HT and VMAT plans for definitive NPC radiotherapy. However, there was higher dose heterogeneity to non-primary targets and longer estimated treatment time with the prototype plans.     

Study on surface dose generated in prostate intensity-modulated radiation therapy treatment

The surface doses of 6- and 15-MV prostate intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) irradiations were measured and compared to those from a 15-MV prostate 4-beam box (FBB). IMRT plans (step-and-shoot technique) using 5, 7, and 9 beams with 6- and 15-MV photon beams were generated from a Pinnacle treatment planning system (version 6) using computed tomography (CT) scans from a Rando Phantom (ICRU Report 48). Metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor detectors were used and placed on a transverse contour line along the Phantom surface at the central beam axis in the measurement. Our objectives were to investigate: (1) the contribution of the dynamic multileaf collimator (MLC) to the surface dose during the IMRT irradiation; (2) the effects of photon beam energy and number of beams used in the IMRT plan on the surface dose. The results showed that with the same number of beams used in the IMRT plan, the 6-MV irradiation gave more surface dose than that of 15 MV to the phantom. However, when the number of beams in the plan was increased, the surface dose difference between the above 2 photon energies became less. The average surface dose of the 15-MV IMRT irradiation increased with the number of beams in the plan, from 0.86% to 1.19%. Conversely, for 6 MV, the surface dose decreased from 1.33% to 1.24% as the beam number increased from 7 to 9. Comparing the 15-MV FBB and 6-MV IMRT plans with 2 Gy/fraction, the IMRT irradiations gave generally more surface dose, from 15% to 30%, depending on the number of beams in the plan. It was found that the increase in surface dose for the IMRT technique compared to the FBB plan was predominantly due to the number of beams and the calculated monitor units required to deliver the same dose at the isocenter in the plans. The head variation due to the dynamic MLC movement changing the surface dose distribution on the patient was reflected by the IMRT dose-intensity map. Although prostate IMRT in this study had an average higher surface dose than that of FBB, the more even distribution of relatively lower surface dose in IMRT field could avoid the big dose peaks at the surface positions directly under the FBB fields. Such an even and low surface dose distribution surrounding the patient in IMRT is believed to give less skin complication than that of FBB with the same prescribed dose.     

Study on surface dose generated in prostate intensity-modulated radiation therapy treatment

The surface doses of 6- and 15-MV prostate intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) irradiations were measured and compared to those from a 15-MV prostate 4-beam box (FBB). IMRT plans (step-and-shoot technique) using 5, 7, and 9 beams with 6- and 15-MV photon beams were generated from a Pinnacle treatment planning system (version 6) using computed tomography (CT) scans from a Rando Phantom (ICRU Report 48). Metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor detectors were used and placed on a transverse contour line along the Phantom surface at the central beam axis in the measurement. Our objectives were to investigate: (1) the contribution of the dynamic multileaf collimator (MLC) to the surface dose during the IMRT irradiation; (2) the effects of photon beam energy and number of beams used in the IMRT plan on the surface dose. The results showed that with the same number of beams used in the IMRT plan, the 6-MV irradiation gave more surface dose than that of 15 MV to the phantom. However, when the number of beams in the plan was increased, the surface dose difference between the above 2 photon energies became less. The average surface dose of the 15-MV IMRT irradiation increased with the number of beams in the plan, from 0.86% to 1.19%. Conversely, for 6 MV, the surface dose decreased from 1.33% to 1.24% as the beam number increased from 7 to 9. Comparing the 15-MV FBB and 6-MV IMRT plans with 2 Gy/fraction, the IMRT irradiations gave generally more surface dose, from 15% to 30%, depending on the number of beams in the plan. It was found that the increase in surface dose for the IMRT technique compared to the FBB plan was predominantly due to the number of beams and the calculated monitor units required to deliver the same dose at the isocenter in the plans. The head variation due to the dynamic MLC movement changing the surface dose distribution on the patient was reflected by the IMRT dose-intensity map. Although prostate IMRT in this study had an average higher surface dose than that of FBB, the more even distribution of relatively lower surface dose in IMRT field could avoid the big dose peaks at the surface positions directly under the FBB fields. Such an even and low surface dose distribution surrounding the patient in IMRT is believed to give less skin complication than that of FBB with the same prescribed dose.     

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。     

The effect of 6 and 15 MV on intensity-modulated radiation therapy prostate cancer treatment: plan evaluation, tumour control probability and normal tissue complication probability analysis, and the theoretical risk of secondary induced malignancies

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 6 and 15-MV photon energies on intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) prostate cancer treatment plan outcome and to compare the theoretical risks of secondary induced malignancies.

Methods

Separate prostate cancer IMRT plans were prepared for 6 and 15-MV beams. Organ-equivalent doses were obtained through thermoluminescent dosemeter measurements in an anthropomorphic Aldersen radiation therapy human phantom. The neutron dose contribution at 15 MV was measured using polyallyl-diglycol-carbonate neutron track etch detectors. Risk coefficients from the International Commission on Radiological Protection Report 103 were used to compare the risk of fatal secondary induced malignancies in out-of-field organs and tissues for 6 and 15 MV. For the bladder and the rectum, a comparative evaluation of the risk using three separate models was carried out. Dose–volume parameters for the rectum, bladder and prostate planning target volume were evaluated, as well as normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) and tumour control probability calculations.

Results

There is a small increased theoretical risk of developing a fatal cancer from 6 MV compared with 15 MV, taking into account all the organs. Dose–volume parameters for the rectum and bladder show that 15 MV results in better volume sparing in the regions below 70 Gy, but the volume exposed increases slightly beyond this in comparison with 6 MV, resulting in a higher NTCP for the rectum of 3.6% vs 3.0% (p=0.166).

Conclusion

The choice to treat using IMRT at 15 MV should not be excluded, but should be based on risk vs benefit while considering the age and life expectancy of the patient together with the relative risk of radiation-induced cancer and NTCPs.Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) is most commonly delivered with high-energy photons, typically in the range of 6–18 MV. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is known to improve target coverage and provide better organ-at-risk (OAR) sparing in comparison with 3D-CRT [1]. However, IMRT is associated with an increase in the number of monitor units (MUs) relative to 3D-CRT, which has led to concerns about a potential increased risk of radiation-induced malignancies [2]. This risk becomes more relevant at higher photon energies (>10 MV), where there is a possibility of greater leakage radiation, treatment head scatter, patient scatter and photoneutron contribution [3]. Subsequently, the majority of IMRT treatments being delivered in the UK today use 6-MV photons. The use of higher energies for deep-seated tumours, such as those in the prostate, have been favoured by some as providing better dose coverage to the tumour target, while also improving normal tissue sparing [4].It has been reported in the literature that IMRT may double the risk of fatal second cancers compared with 3D-CRT [5-9]. The risk of fatal cancer has been reported for 6-MV 3D-CRT and IMRT prostate treatments to vary by 0.6–1.5% and 1–3.0%, respectively [7,8,10]. For 15-MV photons, the risk has been reported to be 3.4% [10]. These values have been computed using data from the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements (NCRP) Report 116, assuming a linear lifetime risk value of 0.05 per Sievert for all fatal radiation-induced cancers for the general population [11].There are as yet no epidemiological data for radiation-induced malignancy in patients with prostate cancer who received treatment with IMRT. A modest increase in second malignancies of 1 in 70 patients undergoing radiation and surviving for more than 10 years was reported for 3D-CRT, with the most common sites for secondary cancers being the bladder and rectum [12].Currently, at our centre (St Luke''s Cancer Centre, SLCC), 3D-CRT to the prostate is delivered mostly with 15-MV photons, whereas IMRT is delivered with 6-MV photons. During the initial set-up of prostate IMRT at SLCC, all energy beams (6, 10 and 15 MV) were in clinical use. After 10 patients had been treated, it was decided by the clinical team to use only 6-MV photons until the use of higher energy beams was further evaluated, given that the potential advantages related to their use could be offset by a potential increase in the risk of second malignancy.This study has investigated whether high-energy IMRT offers better target coverage and normal tissue sparing for prostate cancer. This work has investigated the organ equivalent doses through thermoluminescent dosemeter (TLD) measurements in an anthropomorphic Alderson radiation therapy (ART) human phantom (RANDO; The Phantom Laboratory, Salem, NY) in order to assess the theoretical risk of secondary malignancies in organs and tissues distant from the tumour target. For the bladder and rectum, a comparative evaluation of calculating the risk using the linear non-threshold model [13-15], linear-plateau model [16] and initiation–inactivation model [17] was performed. The neutron dose contribution at 15 MV was estimated using polyallyl-diglycol-carbonate (PADC) neutron track etch detectors. Dosimetric plan evaluations were carried out for the planning target volume (PTV) and OARs, as well as an assessment of the total number of MUs for plans generated with different energies.     

Reducing the Risk of Xerostomia and Mandibular Osteoradionecrosis: The Potential Benefits of Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy in Advanced Oral Cavity Carcinoma

Radiation therapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity may be curative, but carries a risk of permanent damage to bone, salivary glands, and other soft tissues. We studied the potential of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) to improve target volume coverage, and normal tissue sparing for advanced oral cavity carcinoma (OCC). Six patients with advanced OCC requiring bilateral irradiation to the oral cavity and neck were studied. Standard 3D conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and inverse-planned IMRT dose distributions were compared by using dose-volume histograms. Doses to organs at risk, including spinal cord, parotid glands, and mandible, were assessed as surrogates of radiation toxicity. PTV1 mean dose was 60.8 ± 0.8 Gy for 3DCRT and 59.8 ± 0.1 Gy for IMRT (p = 0.04). PTV1 dose range was 24.7 ± 6 Gy for 3DCRT and 15.3 ± 4 Gy for IMRT (p = 0.001). PTV2 mean dose was 54.5 ± 0.8 Gy for 3DCRT and for IMRT was 54.2 ± 0.2 Gy (p = 0.34). PTV2 dose range was improved by IMRT (7.8 ± 3.2 Gy vs. 30.7 ± 12.8 Gy, p = 0.006). Homogeneity index (HI) values for PTV2 were closer to unity using IMRT (p = 0.0003). Mean parotid doses were 25.6 ± 2.7 Gy for IMRT and 42.0 ± 8.8 Gy with 3DCRT (p = 0.002). The parotid V30 in all IMRT plans was <45%. The mandible V50, V55, and V60 were significantly lower for the IMRT plans. Maximum spinal cord and brain stem doses were similar for the 2 techniques. IMRT provided superior target volume dose homogeneity and sparing of organs at risk. The magnitude of reductions in dose to the salivary glands and mandible are likely to translate into reduced incidence of xerostomia and osteoradionecrosis for patients with OCC.     

Comparison of IMRT and VMAT plans with different energy levels using Monte-Carlo algorithm for prostate cancer

Purpose

To make dosimetric comparisons of volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and 7-field intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with dynamic MLCs using the Monaco treatment planning system with Monte Carlo algorithm.

Materials and methods

Single-arc VMAT and 7-field IMRT treatment plans were compared for 12 intermediate risk prostate cancer patients treated with prostate and seminal vesicle radiotherapy. For all patients, the prescribed dose was 78 Gy delivered in 39 fractions. The dosimetric data of IMRT and VMAT plans with 6, 10 and 15 MV energies were compared. The comparison was made for target volume, organs at risk (OAR) doses, and for monitor units (MU).

Results

The normal tissue surrounding the target were lower in VMAT plans compared to IMRT plans. VMAT plans achieved lower doses to all OARs for nearly all dosimetric endpoints. VMAT plans achieved 9.4, 9.0 and 7.0 % relative decrease in MUs required for RT delivery, for 6, 10 and 15 MV energy levels, respectively. The target volume and OAR dosimetric values did not differ significantly between 6, 10 and 15 MV photon energies.

Conclusion

VMAT plans were found to be dosimetrically equivalent to IMRT plans for prostate cancer patients, with better rectum and bladder sparing and fewer MUs required.