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.     

Dosimetric assessment of the mono and dual-isocentric VMAT technique based on flattening filter-free beams for SBRT with non-contiguous spinal targets

The study aimed to evaluate the planning characteristics of spinal stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) using mono- and dual-isocentric volumetrically modulated arc therapy (VMAT) techniques. The dosimetric indices were compared between different beam arrangement techniques for spinal SBRT planning, including spinal cord avoidance, planning target volume (PTV) dose coverage, conformity, homogeneity, and gradient index. A total of 8 PTVs were contoured on RANDO phantom computed tomography (CT) images, with 4 PTVs per section of the spine (thoracic and lumbar). VMAT plans for each PTV were generated using 4 different beam arrangement techniques with a 6-MV FFF photon beam, two of which were mono-isocentric (MI) and 2 of which were dual-isocentric (DI). Dose calculations for all plans were performed using the Acuros XB algorithm. The study found that when non-contiguous spinal lesions are widely spaced, it may be more effective to use 4-Arcs DI to generate a better homogeneity index and gradient index, whereas 2-Arcs MI was beneficial for closely spaced lesions. Furthermore, the use of more arcs with a dual isocenter reduced the volume of partial cord receiving 10 Gy (V_10Gy), maximum dose to 0.03 cc of partial cord (D_0.03cc), and monitor units (MUs). The results showed that DI has a higher plan quality than MI for treating non-contiguous spine SBRT, with better homogeneity and a lower dose to the spinal cord, as well as comparable tumor coverage, delivery accuracy, and adequate tumour coverage. 4-Arcs DI had the sharpest dose falloff and achieved the lowest overall spinal cord doses at the expense of twice the treatment time as 2Arcs-MI. These results could help figure out which VMAT beam arrangements are best for treating non-contiguous spinal tumors.     

Treatment planning comparison between dynamic wave arc and volumetric modulated arc therapies for prostate-cancer treatment

The aim of this study was to compare the quality of dynamic wave arc (DWA) and coplanar volumetric modulated arc therapy (co-VMAT) plans for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. The planning target volume (PTV)-rectum, a section of the PTV comprising the PTV minus that of the rectum, received 78 Gy in 39 fractions as the mean dose to the PTV-rectum. The DWA and co-VMAT plans were generated for each patient using the RayStation treatment planning system for the Vero4DRT system. The PTV-rectum dose (D_95%: the percent dose irradiating 95% of the volume), homogeneity index (HI), conformity index (CI), as well as doses to the bladder wall, rectum wall (V_10–70 Gy: the percent volume receiving 10–70 Gy), and bilateral femoral heads of the DWA and co-VMAT plans were compared. The output monitor unit (MU) and delivery time obtained for each set of plans were also investigated. In terms of target coverage, the DWA plans provided an average D_95% of 75.5 Gy, which was comparable to the co-VMAT-plan D_95% of 75.2 Gy (p < 0.05). The HI was significantly better with the DWA. As for the DWA plans, the bladder-wall volume receiving 10, 20, 30, and 40 Gy (V_{10–40 Gy}) was significantly smaller than that of the co-VMAT plans, and the volume of the rectal wall receiving 10 Gy (V_10Gy) was significantly larger than that of the co-VMAT plans. The DWA plans yielded a reduced dose to the bilateral femoral heads compared with the co-VMAT plans (p < 0.05). The values of the CI and MU, and the delivery time exhibited no significant differences between the DWA and co-VMAT plans. The DWA plan is a feasible treatment option for prostate cancer radiotherapy.     

基于RayStation计划系统的宫颈癌容积旋转调强自动计划设计

目的 研究在RayStation 4.7计划系统平台上实现基于预测模型和自动优化算法的宫颈癌容积旋转调强（VMAT）全自动计划设计。方法 选取40例宫颈癌VMAT专家计划进行分析,使用主成分回归分析方法建立危及器官的体积剂量直方图（DVH）预测模型,运用IronPython编程语言在RayStation 4.7计划系统平台上实现基于预测模型的宫颈癌VMAT计划的自动创建和自动优化,并通过与手动计划的比较来评估自动计划的质量和效率。另外选取10例专家计划用于验证模型的准确性和自动计划的可行性。结果 10例宫颈癌VMAT计划测试结果显示预测模型能够很好地预测直肠、膀胱和小肠的剂量体积参数;自动计划与专家计划相当,而与原始手动计划相比,靶区的均匀性和适形性差异无统计学意义（P> 0.05）,膀胱平均V₄₀和V₅₀下降4.3%和1.6%,（t=2.75、5.26,P< 0.05）,直肠平均V₃₀、V₄₀和V₅₀下降6.8%、5.8%和2.1%（t=2.26、3.55、5.19,P<0.05）,左右股骨头平均剂量分别下降380和322 cGy（t=5.55、7.25,P< 0.05）,小肠平均剂量差异无统计学意义（P> 0.05）。自动计划和手动计划平均用时分别为36和53 min。结论 RayStation计划系统平台上基于IronPython语言并结合预测模型的自动计划程序能够快速高效地完成高质量的宫颈癌VMAT计划。     

Monaco与Pinnacle计划系统在肺癌容积旋转调强计划中的比较

目的 比较Monaco和Pinnacle 2套计划系统设计的肺癌容积旋转调强(VMAT)计划的计划质量、治疗效率和剂量验证精度.方法 选取20例肺癌病例,其中左肺癌10例,右肺癌10例,分别利用Monaco 3.0和Pinnacle 9.2两套计划系统设计VMAT计划,比较2种计划的靶区适形度、均匀性、最大剂量(D_max)、平均剂量(D_mean)与最小剂量(D_min)及危及器官的受照剂量;比较治疗计划执行时间、机器跳数和剂量验证的准确性.结果 除PTV的D_min外,Monaco计划靶区的其他各项剂量学指标都明显优于Pinnacle(t=5.927~12.034,P<0.05);2种计划除患侧肺V₁₀、全肺V₅外,Monaco计划肺的其他剂量学指标都差于Pinnacle(t=3.545~7.485,P<0.05),Monaco计划对心脏的保护明显优于Pinnacle(t=2.836~4.011,P<0.05),但较差的是Monaco计划执行时间(t=9.780,P<0.05)和MU数量(t=5.304,P<0.05).Monaco计划的Delta⁴验证结果优于Pinnacle(t=4.937,P<0.05).结论 对于肺癌的VMAT计划,Monaco与 Pinnacle两套计划系统都能满足临床应用要求;Pinnacle在肺的保护与计划执行方面有明显的优势,Monaco在靶区剂量分布和心脏的保护,以及剂量验证方面具有优势.     

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.     

非小细胞肺癌不同调强放疗方案的剂量学对比研究

目的 探讨非小细胞肺癌调强放疗计划设计的合理方案。方法 对11例非小细胞肺癌患者分别制定2种放疗计划:PTV60计划的PTV为(GTV+6～8mm)+呼吸动度+摆位误差,对PTV获得60Gy处方剂量进行归一;PTV70计划的PTV为GTV+呼吸动度+摆位误差,对PTV获得70Gy处方剂量进行归一。通过剂量体积直方图分析2种治疗计划的靶区剂量分布和危及器官受量,并进行剂量学的对比研究。结果 PTV70计划接受60Gy剂量的靶区体积明显高于PTV60计划,两组在靶区剂量均匀性方面相似。PTV70计划的肺V₂₀较PTV60计划平均下降(1.69±0.42)%,两组相比差异有统计学意义(t=0.047,P=0.002);肺V₅平均下降(1.29±1.09)%,两组相比差异无统计学意义。结论 在非小细胞肺癌调强放疗设计中,PTV70计划优于PTV60计划。     

Respiratory gating and multifield technique radiotherapy for esophageal cancer

Purpose

To investigate the effects of a respiratory gating and multifield technique on the dose-volume histogram (DVH) in radiotherapy for esophageal cancer.

Methods and materials

Twenty patients who underwent four-dimensional computed tomography for esophageal cancer were included. We retrospectively created the four treatment plans for each patient, with or without the respiratory gating and multifield technique: No gating-2-field, No gating-4-field, Gating-2-field, and Gating-4-field plans. We compared the DVH parameters of the lung and heart in the No gating-2-field plan with the other three plans.

Result

In the comparison of the parameters in the No gating-2-field plan, there are significant differences in the Lung V_5Gy, V_20Gy, mean dose with all three plans and the Heart V_25Gy–V_40Gy with Gating-2-field plan, V_35Gy, V_40Gy, mean dose with No Gating-4-field plan and V_30Gy–V_40Gy, and mean dose with Gating-4-field plan. The lung parameters were smaller in the Gating-2-field plan and larger in the No gating-4-field and Gating-4-field plans. The heart parameters were all larger in the No gating-2-field plan.

Conclusion

The lung parameters were reduced by the respiratory gating technique and increased by the multifield technique. The heart parameters were reduced by both techniques. It is important to select the optimal technique according to the risk of complications.

     

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy with hybrid technique

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of the Hybrid technique which was created by combining of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for the treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) patients. 7 to 9 field IMRT, triple arc VMAT, and Hybrid plans were generated for 10 advanced stage NPC patients. The homogeneity index (HI) and the conformity index (CI) of planning target volumes (PTVs) were calculated for each technique to evaluate the plan quality. The techniques were compared in terms of plan quality, sparing of organs at risk (OARs), monitor units (MUs), and delivery time. Hybrid technique significantly improved the target dose homogeneity and the conformity for PTV70 and PTV60 compared to IMRT and VMAT. Hybrid plans significantly reduced the maximum dose of the brainstem sparing compared to the VMAT plans and also improved the sparing of spinal cord compared to IMRT and VMAT. The MUs and the delivery time of Hybrid plans were found to be between values for IMRT and VMAT plans. Hybrid technique can be useful when IMRT and VMAT techniques are not adequate alone in the treatment of NPC patients.     

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.