Automated volumetric modulated arc therapy planning for whole pelvic prostate radiotherapy

Background

For several tumor entities, automated treatment planning has improved plan quality and planning efficiency, and may enable adaptive treatment approaches. Whole-pelvic prostate radiotherapy (WPRT) involves large concave target volumes, which present a challenge for volumetric arc therapy (VMAT) optimization. This study evaluates automated VMAT planning for WPRT-VMAT and compares the results with manual expert planning.

Methods

A system for fully automated multi-criterial plan generation was configured for each step of sequential-boost WPRT-VMAT, with final “autoVMAT” plans being automatically calculated by the Monaco treatment planning system (TPS; Elekta AB, Stockholm, Sweden). Configuration was based on manually generated VMAT plans (manualVMAT) of 5 test patients, the planning protocol, and discussions with the treating physician on wishes for plan improvements. AutoVMAT plans were then generated for another 30 evaluation patients and compared to manualVMAT plans. For all 35 patients, manualVMAT plans were optimized by expert planners using the Monaco TPS.

Results

AutoVMAT plans exhibited strongly improved organ sparing and higher conformity compared to manualVMAT. On average, mean doses (D_mean) of bladder and rectum were reduced by 10.7 and 4.5?Gy, respectively, by autoVMAT. Prostate target coverage (V_95%) was slightly higher (+0.6%) with manualVMAT. In a blinded scoring session, the radiation oncologist preferred autoVMAT plans to manualVMAT plans for 27/30 patients. All treatment plans were considered clinically acceptable. The workload per patient was reduced by > 70 min.

Conclusion

Automated VMAT planning for complex WPRT dose distributions is feasible and creates treatment plans that are generally dosimetrically superior to manually optimized plans.

     

胸上段食管癌无均整器容积弧形调强与固定野调强放疗计划的剂量学比较

目的 探讨在瓦里安TrueBeam^TM直线加速器中使用无均整器出束容积弧形调强(RA-FFF)及常规固定野调强(IMRT)两种计划剂量学差异.方法 选择10例分期为cT_2-3N_0-1M_0-1a胸上段食管癌患者定位CT资料,使用ECLIPSE^TM 10.0.4治疗计划系统分别设计RA-FFF、IMRT根治性放疗计划,处方剂量为60 Gy/30次,比较2种计划的剂量学参数和执行效率.结果 2种计划靶区适形度相似,差异无统计学意义;IMRT计划的均匀性指数高于RA-FFF计划(t=7.298,P=0.008);RA-FFF计划中肺组织的V₂₀、V₅低于IMRT计划(t=2.451、2.604,P<0.05).RA-FFF及IMRT两种计划制定时间分别为(5.3±1.4)、(3.5±1.7)h(t=2.585,P<0.05),机器总跳数分别为632±213及734±132(t=-1.287,P=0.084),治疗执行时间分别为(2.2±0.9)、(4.5±1.3)min(t=4.60,P<0.01).结论 与IMRT计划相比,RA-FFF在胸上段食管癌治疗中具有相似的靶区剂量分布,可更好地保护肺组织,计划制定时间较长但执行效率较高.     

三维适形、逆向调强及旋转调强放疗技术对部分乳腺外照射的剂量学比较

目的 比较三维适形(3 D-CRT)、逆向调强(IMRT)及旋转调强(V-MAT)3种部分乳腺外照射(EB-PBI)治疗计划的剂量学差异.方法 选择定位影像资料完整的12例保乳术后行EB-PBI患者,每例患者分别设计3D-CRT、IMRT、V-MAT 3种治疗计划,比较3种计划的靶区剂量分布、危及器官受照剂量及所需机器跳数(MU)和治疗时间.结果 3D-CRT计划的靶区适形度最差,V-MAT计划的处方剂量靶区覆盖率及靶区剂量均匀性最差.3D-CRT计划中患侧肺V5、V10和平均剂量低,而患侧肺V30高;计划间患侧肺V20差异无统计学意义;V-MAT计划中15、20和25 Gy剂量包绕的同侧正常乳腺体积少;对于心脏V5、平均剂量及最大剂量、对侧肺平均剂量、甲状腺平均和最大剂量,IMRT＞ V-MAT＞ 3D-CRT,计划间两两比较差异均有统计学意义(z=-2.94 ～ -2.09,P＜0.05).3D-CRT、IMRT和V-MAT计划所需MU值分别为417.6 ±34.4、772.8±54.4和631.0±109.0,计划间两两比较差异均有统计学意义(z=-2.93、-2.76、-2.93,P＜0.05);V-MAT计划施照时间短.结论 对于部分乳腺癌的放射治疗,旋转调强计划在降低患侧靶区外正常乳腺组织受照射剂量和减少治疗时间方面优势比较明显.     

Volumetric modulated arc therapy: a review of current literature and clinical use in practice

Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is a novel radiation technique, which can achieve highly conformal dose distributions with improved target volume coverage and sparing of normal tissues compared with conventional radiotherapy techniques. VMAT also has the potential to offer additional advantages, such as reduced treatment delivery time compared with conventional static field intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The clinical worldwide use of VMAT is increasing significantly. Currently the majority of published data on VMAT are limited to planning and feasibility studies, although there is emerging clinical outcome data in several tumour sites. This article aims to discuss the current use of VMAT techniques in practice and review the available data from planning and clinical outcome studies in various tumour sites including prostate, pelvis (lower gastrointestinal, gynaecological), head and neck, thoracic, central nervous system, breast and other tumour sites.     

Results of radiotherapy of esophageal cancer

From 1972 to 1987, sixty-seven patients with esophageal cancer were treated with radiotherapy over 50 Gy. The actuarial survival at 5 years and the median survival in all patients were 5.3% and 7 months, respectively. Survival was analyzed according to the intent of radiotherapy and the tumor response. The 5 year survival and the median survival were 5.6% and 8 months for the group of radiotherapy with curative intent, whereas they were 0% and 7 months for the group of non-curative radiotherapy (p less than 0.02). The median survivals of absolutely curable, relatively curable, relatively non-curable and absolutely non-curable group were 13, 9, 5 and 3 months, respectively. And survivals of the first two groups were significantly longer than those of the last two groups. The survival in patients with distant metastasis was worse than in those who had no distant metastasis (p less than 0.05). In the fifty-five patients with no distant metastasis, the significant prognostic factors were performance status and radiation dose (TDF).     

Image-guided volumetric modulated arc therapy for breast cancer: a feasibility study and plan comparison with three-dimensional conformal and intensity-modulated radiotherapy

Objective:

To test the feasibility of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in breast cancer and to compare it with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) as conventional tangential field radiotheraphy (_conTFRT).

Methods:

12 patients (Stage I, 8: 6 left breast cancer and 2 right breast cancer; Stage II, 4: 2 on each side). Three plans were calculated for each case after breast-conserving surgery. Breast was treated with 50 Gy in four patients with supraclavicular lymph node inclusion, and in eight patients without the node inclusion. Multiple indices and dose parameters were measured.

Results:

V95% was not achieved by any modality. Heterogeneity index: 0.16 (VMAT), 0.13 [intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)] and 0.14 (_conTFRT). Conformity index: 1.06 (VMAT), 1.15 (IMRT) and 1.69 (_conTFRT). For both indices, IMRT was more effective than VMAT (p=0.009, p=0.002). D_mean and V20 for ipsilateral lung were lower for IMRT than VMAT (p=0.0001, p=0.003). D_mean, V2 and V5 of contralateral lung were lower for IMRT than VMAT (p>0.0001, p=0.005). Mean dose and V5 to the heart were lower for IMRT than for VMAT (p=0.015, p=0.002).

Conclusion:

The hypothesis of equivalence of VMAT to IMRT was not confirmed for planning target volume parameter or dose distribution to organs at risk. VMAT was inferior to IMRT and 3D-CRT with regard to dose distribution to organs at risk, especially at the low dose level.

Advances in knowledge:

New technology VMAT is not superior to IMRT or conventional radiotherapy in breast cancer in any aspect.In Western countries, one in every eight females is diagnosed with breast cancer. Breast-conserving surgery with post-operative radiotherapy (RT) is the primary therapeutic strategy for Stages I and II of breast cancer. Systemic therapy is also part of the primary therapeutic strategy in most patients with Stage I and II breast cancer. RT substantially reduces the rate of local relapse and improves long-term survival [1]. However, RT is suggested to be associated with morbidity of the heart [2,3], lung [4,5], subcutaneous tissue and skin [6] and a risk of secondary malignancies [7–9].A large body of available data regarding the potential toxicity of RT was published between 1980 and the end of 1990 [1]. Special clinical interest has been focused on acute and mostly transient lung and skin toxicity, axillary problems and late cardiac events, in addition to the risk of secondary malignancies. This period was characterised by RT delivery using a fluoroscopic technique with two-dimensional planning followed by three-dimensional (3D) conformal techniques with two conventional tangential field radiotherapy (_conTFRT) fields. _conTFRT encompassed the whole breast, skin, minor ipsilateral lung volume, a part of the axillary region at Level 1 and a part of the heart in the case of left-sided cancer [10–12]. These areas have been sites for local toxicity, because RT principles, and thus homogeneous photon flux across treatment fields, remained unchanged.Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has been implemented in the past decade, permitting variation of fluence modulation across fields and allowing optimal dose administration according to an individual''s anatomy. IMRT results in improved avoidance of critical structures such as the heart, skin, axillary region and lung, while facilitating necessary tumour volume coverage [13,14]. Clinical data on IMRT show an improvement in dose homogeneity within the irradiated breast and sparing of the heart and lung [14–17]. However, a disadvantage of IMRT over _conTFRT is the long treatment duration owing to the higher number of fields and monitor units (MUs) involved. In addition, although IMRT reduces the volume of the heart and ipsilateral lung that receive high doses, it is associated with an increase in overall low-dose radiation. Despite the available clinical data, the wider use and specific indications for IMRT for breast cancer have not been established.In volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), technical extension of conventional fixed-field IMRT, an optimised dose distribution is possible with a single gantry rotation. Studies have shown that VMAT reduces the number of MUs and treatment delivery time [18–22], with similar or better planning target volume (PTV) coverage and sparing of organs at risk (OARs) than IMRT. Reports on VMAT for breast cancer are few and mainly concern planning comparisons [20,23–28] and very preliminary clinical data [29].The RapidArc® system (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA) has recently been introduced in our department. Accordingly, we have begun examining the potential of RapidArc VMAT for breast cancer treatment in a prospective clinical setting to adequately evaluate dosimetric parameters, treatment planning and clinical implications as well the disadvantages.The present study aimed to compare the use of RapidArc VMAT with IMRT and _conTFRT for breast cancer therapy. We hypothesised that the use of RapidArc under routine clinical circumstances would be equivalent to or better than IMRT and _conTFRT in terms of PTV coverage and OAR sparing, while reducing both treatment time and MUs.     

Dosimetric comparison of 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy,volumetric modulated arc therapy,and helical tomotherapy for postoperative gastric cancer patients

Purpose

To compare dosimetric data for the planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OARs) between 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), and helical tomotherapy [1].

Materials and methods

The dosimetric data for 15 gastric cancer patients treated with 3DCRT, VMAT, or HT techniques were used. Cumulative dosimetric parameters, homogeneity index (HI), and conformal index (CI) were compared for the PTV and OARs.

Results

The average maximum doses of PTV were significantly higher in VMAT plans than in 3DCRT (p = 0.04) and HT (p = 0.02) plans, whereas minimum dose values were significantly lower in 3DCRT plans compared with VMAT (p < 0.001) and HT (p = 0.02) plans. Liver mean dose (D _mean) and D _mean values for both kidneys were significantly lower in HT plans than in 3DCRT and VMAT plans. The doses in high dose regions (V30–V45) using 3DCRT plans were significantly higher compared to both VMAT and HT plans. The bowel V5–V30 and V45 was significantly less in HT plans compared to VMAT plans. There were no significant differences in dose sparing of the spinal cord.

Conclusions

The HT plans reduced the maximum dose applied to the target and improved the conformality and homogeneity of radiation, while providing sufficient PTV coverage.

     

High-dose radiotherapy in inoperable nonsmall cell lung cancer: Comparison of volumetric modulated arc therapy,dynamic IMRT and 3D conformal radiotherapy

Conformal 3D radiotherapy (3D-CRT) combined with chemotherapy for inoperable non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to the preferable high dose is often not achievable because of dose-limiting organs. This reduces the probability of regional tumor control. Therefore, the surplus value of using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) techniques, specifically volumetric modulated arc therapy (RapidArc [RA]) and dynamic IMRT (d-IMRT) has been investigated. RA and d-IMRT plans were compared with 3D-CRT treatment plans for 20 patients eligible for concurrent high-dose chemoradiotherapy, in whom a dose of 60 Gy was not achievable. Comparison of dose delivery in the target volume and organs at risk was carried out by evaluating 3D dose distributions and dose-volume histograms. Quality of the dose distribution was assessed using the inhomogeneity and conformity index. For most patients, a higher dose to the target volume can be delivered using RA or d-IMRT; in 15% of the patients a dose ≥60 Gy was possible. Both IMRT techniques result in a better conformity of the dose (p < 0.001). There are no significant differences in homogeneity of dose in the target volume. IMRT techniques for NSCLC patients allow higher dose to the target volume, thus improving regional tumor control.     

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.

     

Study for reducing lung dose of upper thoracic esophageal cancer radiotherapy by auto-planning: volumetric-modulated arc therapy vs intensity-modulated radiation therapy

This study aimed to investigate the dosimetric differences and lung sparing between volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in the treatment of upper thoracic esophageal cancer with T3N0M0 for preoperative radiotherapy by auto-planning (AP). Sixteen patient cases diagnosed with upper thoracic esophageal cancer T3N0M0 for preoperative radiotherapy were retrospectively studied, and 3 plans were generated for each patient: full arc VMAT AP plan with double arcs, partial arc VMAT AP plan with 6 partial arcs, and conventional IMRT AP plan. A simultaneous integrated boost with 2 levels was planned in all patients. Target coverage, organ at risk sparing, treatment parameters including monitor units and treatment time (TT) were evaluated. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to check for significant differences (p?<?0.05) between datasets. VMAT plans (pVMAT and fVMAT) significantly reduced total lung volume treated above 20?Gy (V₂₀), 25?Gy (V₂₅), 30?Gy (V₃₀), 35?Gy (V₃₅), 40?Gy (V₄₀), and without increasing the value of V₁₀, V₁₃, and V₁₅. For V₅ of total lung value, pVMAT was similar to aIMRT, and it was better than fVMAT. Both pVMAT and fVMAT improved the target dose coverage and significantly decreased maximum dose for the spinal cord, monitor unit, and TT. No significant difference was observed with respect to V₁₀ and V₁₅ of body. VMAT AP plan was a good option for treating upper thoracic esophageal cancer with T3N0M0, especially partial arc VMAT AP plan. It had the potential to effectively reduce lung dose in a shorter TT and with superior target coverage and dose homogeneity.     

Effect of arc length on skin dose from hypofractionated volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy treatments of the lung and spine

Due to large doses per fraction, stereotactic ablative radiotherapy of lung or spine can lead to skin tissue toxicity, the amount of which depends on a variety of factors such as target location, beam geometry, and immobilization. The effect of arc length on spreading out entrance and exit doses and the corresponding predictions of skin reactions has not yet been studied for stereotactic body radiotherapy volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatments. 58 clinically relevant VMAT stereotactic body radiotherapy spine and lung plans were created for an anthropomorphic phantom utilizing a range of target locations, beam geometries and arc lengths. Skin dose was assessed by considering the National Cancer Institute skin reaction grades adjusted for 3 fraction treatments. While the skin volumes predicted to exhibit low grade reactions decreased with arc length, high grade reactions were found to increase at smaller arcs as well as at full arcs where a superposition of entrance and exit doses would occur. It is possible for skin dose to be effectively optimized by choice of arc length (within clinically relevant boundaries) and thus minimize the skin reaction. High skin doses are often attributed to effects arising from the distance between the planning target volume and patient surface but this study has demonstrated that VMAT arc length is of equal importance. Understanding this relationship will assist in minimizing skin reactions through modification of plan parameters and will provide clinicians more information for patient selection.     

Dosimetric comparison of vaginal vault brachytherapy vs applicator-guided stereotactic body radiotherapy with volumetric modulated arc therapy and helical tomotherapy for endometrium cancer patients

We performed this dosimetric study to compare a nonstandard volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and helical tomotherapy (HT) techniques with high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BRT) plan of vaginal vault in patients with postoperative endometrial cancer (EC). Twelve postoperative patients with early stage EC were included in this study. Three plans were performed for each patient; dosimetric and radiobiological comparisons were made using dose-volume histograms and equivalent dose for determining the planning target volume (PTV) coverages in brachytherapy and external beam radiotherapy, and organs-at-risk (OARs) doses between three different delivery techniques. All the plans achieved adequate dose coverage for PTV; however, the VMAT plan yielded better dose conformity, and the HT plan showed better homogeneity for target volume. With respect to the OARs, the bladder D_2cc was significantly lower in the BRT plan than in the VMAT and HT plans, with the highest bladder D_2cc value being observed in the HT plan. However, no difference was observed in the rectum D_2cc of the three plans. Other major advantages of the BRT plan over the VMAT and HT plans were the relatively lower body integral doses and femoral head doses as well as the fact that the integral doses were significantly lower in the BRT plan than in the VMAT and HT plans. This is the first dosimetric comparison of vaginal vault treatment for EC with BRT, VMAT, and HT plans. Our analyses showed the feasibility of stereotactic body radiotherapy technique as an alternative to HDR-BRT for postoperative management of EC patients.     

宫颈癌术后容积旋转调强放疗与5野调强放疗计划的剂量学比较

目的比较宫颈癌术后容积旋转调强放疗（VMAT）与5野调强放疗（5F-IMRT）计划的剂量学差异,并在危及器官保护方面进行分析。方法选择10例宫颈癌术后放疗的5F-IMRT计划,按相同的剂量限制对每例患者行单弧VMAT和双弧VMAT计划设计,比较3种计划的靶区剂量、适形度指数、均匀性指数、危及器官剂量及加速器跳数。组间比较采用单因素方差分析检验,组间两两比较采用LSD检验。结果单弧VMAT和双弧VMAT均能满足靶区处方剂量的要求,在靶区最大剂量、平均剂量、适形度指数和均匀性指数上,双弧VMAT与5F-IMRT计划相当,单弧VMAT计划最差,差异有统计学意义（F=24.102、13.710、5.919、11.045,均P < 0.05）;靶区最小剂量比较,3种计划差异无统计学意义（F=3.323,P>0.05）。单弧VMAT和双弧VMAT计划的加速器跳数明显少于5F-IMRT计划,差异有统计学意义（F=295.138,P < 0.05）。对于小肠、直肠和膀胱的参数最大剂量,双弧VMAT与5F-IMRT计划相当,单弧VMAT计划最差,差异有统计学意义（F=16.069、7.521、13.966,均P < 0.05）。对于膀胱的参数V20、V30和V40（V表示受照剂量体积百分比）,5F-IMRT优于单弧VMAT和双弧VMAT,差异有统计学意义（F=5.142、20.095、7.387,均P < 0.05）。对于左股骨头参数V20和V30,单弧和双弧VMAT优于5F-IMRT,差异有统计学意义（F=3.717、16.040,均P < 0.05）。对于右股骨头参数V30和V40,单弧和双弧VMAT优于5F-IMRT,差异有统计学意义（F=10.873、7.791,均P < 0.05）。结论宫颈癌术后放疗,双弧VMAT计划在靶区剂量学参数上与5F-IMRT计划相当,单弧VMAT计划较差。在危及器官保护方面,3种计划各有优势,但VMAT计划的加速器跳数明显减少,可以提高治疗效率,值得进一步研究。     

食管癌调强放疗中摆位误差对剂量学的影响

目的通过电子射野影像装置(EPID)测量食管癌患者在调强放疗过程中的摆位误差,分析摆位误差对靶区和正常组织受量的影响,验证目前计划靶体积(PTV)外放范围的合理性。方法 36例食管癌患者用EPID测量其摆位误差,每位患者接受摆位验证4~6次(1次/周)。在医科达(CMS-XIO)治疗计划系统上模拟实际摆位误差,比较实际治疗过程中大体肿瘤体积(GTV)、临床靶区体积(CTV)和周围正常组织的受照剂量。结果 36例食管癌患者前后、左右、头脚方向摆位误差分别为(2.43±1.80)、(2.56±1.87)和(3.53±2.82)mm。摆位误差使食管癌患者GTV的95%体积接受的剂量(D95)与原治疗计划相比降低了50 c Gy,CTV的D95降低了78.21 c Gy。原计划(P1)和摆位误差计划(P2)的全肺接受20 Gy照射体积占全肺体积的百分比(V20)分别为24.34%和23.52%(P<0.05);心脏平均剂量分别为2 067.23 c Gy和2 021.33 c Gy(P<0.05);P1中无一例脊髓受量超过4 500 c Gy,而P2中12例脊髓最大剂量超过4 500 c Gy,其中1例最大剂量为5 602.70 c Gy。结论摆位误差使GTV、CTV的受照剂量降低,部分患者脊髓最大剂量超过耐受量,双肺、心脏受照剂量有所下降。