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.     

Dosimetric Comparison of RapidArc with Fixed Gantry Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy Treatment for Multiple Liver Metastases Radiotherapy

We wanted to compare the dosimetric difference and treatment efficiency of RapidArc and fixed gantry intensity-modulated radiotherapy treatment (IMRT) for multiple liver metastases. Computed tomography datasets of 10 patients were studied retrospectively. IMRT plans were generated using 5 fields and RapidArc using either 1 or 2 arcs. The dose distribution of planning target volume (PTV), organs at risk (OARs), and the normal tissue were compared. Monitor units and treatment time were scored to measure expected treatment efficiency. Both RapidArc and IMRT plans resulted in equivalent target coverage. There was no statistically significant difference for the maximum and the minimum dose of PTV. RapidArc plans achieved an improved conformity index compared with IMRT (RA1 = 1.68 ± 0.27, RA2 = 1.61 ± 0.25, IMRT = 1.80 ± 0.37). For OARs, all techniques respected planning objectives. RapidArc plans had a lower dose in V₄₀ of small bowel than IMRT, but were higher in mean dose of kidneys. Concerning the V₅, V₁₀, and V₁₅ of healthy tissue, RapidArc plans were higher than IMRT. However, the V₂₀, V₂₅, and V₃₀ of healthy tissue in RapidArc plans were lower than IMRT. Monitor units per fraction of RapidArc plans were about 40% or 46% of IMRT. Compared with IMRT plans, treatment time of RapidArc plans were reduced by 60% or 70%. All techniques respected planning objectives. RapidArc showed statistical improvements in conformity index and healthy tissue sparing with uncompromised target coverage. This, in combination with fewer monitor units and short delivery time, can lead to clinically significant advances for the treatment of multiple liver metastases.     

Dosimetric comparison of intensity modulated radiotherapy and intensity modulated proton therapy in the treatment of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Background and purposeTo compare the dosimetric performance of Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) and Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) in terms of target volume coverage and sparing of neurological organs-at-risk (OARs) in salvaging recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (rNPC). The maximum dose to the internal carotid artery (ICA) and nasopharyngeal (NP) mucosa, which are associated with potential carotid blowout and massive epistaxis, were also evaluated.Materials and methodsIMRT and IMPT treatment plans were created for twenty patients with locally advanced rNPC. Planning Target Volume (PTV) was used to account for the setup and spatial error/uncertainty in the IMRT planning. Robust optimization on Clinical Target Volume (CTV) coverage with consideration of range and setup uncertainty was employed to produce two IMPT plans with 3-field and 4-field arrangements. The planning objective was to deliver 60 Gy to the PTV (IMRT) and CTV (IMPT) without exceeding the maximum lifetime cumulative Biologically Effective Dose (BED) of the neurological OARs (applied to the Planning organs-at-risk volume). The target dose coverage as well as the maximum dose to the neurological OARs, ICA, and NP mucosa were compared.ResultsCompared with IMRT, 3-field IMPT achieved better coverage to GTV V100% (83.3% vs. 73.2%, P <0.01) and CTV V100% (80.5% vs. 72.4%, P <0.01), and lower maximum dose to the critical OARs including the spinal cord (19.2 Gy vs. 22.3 Gy, P <0.01), brainstem (30.0 Gy vs. 32.3 Gy, P <0.01) and optic chiasm (6.6 Gy vs. 9.8 Gy, P <0.01). The additional beam with the 4-fields IMPT plans further improved the target coverage from the 3-field IMPT (CTV V98%: 85.3% vs. 82.4%, P <0.01) with similar OAR sparing. However, the target dose was highly non-uniform with both IMPT plans, leading to a significantly higher maximum dose to the ICA (～68 Gy vs. 62.6 Gy, P <0.01) and NP mucosa (～72 Gy vs. 62.8 Gy, P <0.01) than IMRT.ConclusionIMPT demonstrated some dosimetric advantage over IMRT in treating rNPC. However, IMPT could also result in very high dose hot spots in the target volume. Careful consideration of the ICA and NP mucosal complications is recommended when applying IMPT on rNPC 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.     

A study of the dosimetric characteristics between different fixed-field IMRT and VMAT in early-stage primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma

This analysis was designed to compare dosimetric parameters among different fixed-field intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) solutions and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) to identify which can achieve the lowest risk of organs at risk (OARs) and treatment delivery efficiently. A total of 16 patients (8 male and 8 female) with early-stage primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) were enrolled with planned gross tumor volume (PGTV) 45?Gy and planning target volume (PTV) 40?Gy. Four different plans were generated: 5-, 7, 9-field IMRT, and VMAT. The dose distributions for PGTV and PTV OARs (lungs, left ventricle, heart, thyroid gland, and breasts) were compared. The monitor units (MUs) and treatment delivery time were also evaluated. Mean conformity index (CI) and homogeneity index (HI) for PGTV in 5F-, 7F-, 9F-IMRT, and VMAT were 1.01 and 1.10, 1.01 and 1.10, 1.01 and 1.10, and 1.01 and 1.11 (p?=?0.963 and 0.843), whereas these 2 indices for PTV were 1.04 and 1.22, 1.03 and 1.19, 1.03 and 1.17, and 1.08 and 1.14 (p?=?0.964 and 0.969), respectively. D_mean (Gy), V4 (%), D50 (Gy), and D80 (Gy) to the left and right breasts increased by 0.7?Gy and 0.1?Gy, 6.8% and 7.7%, 0.9?Gy and 1.7?Gy, and 1.0?Gy and 1.5?Gy in VMAT, respectively. The 9-beam IMRT plan had the highest MUs (25,762.4 MUs) and the longest treatment delivery time (10.7 minutes); whereas, the VMAT had the lowest MUs (13,345.0) and the shortest treatment delivery time (5.9 minutes). Seven- and 9-field IMRT and VMAT provide improved tumor coverage compared with 5F-IMRT, whereas VMAT shows higher treatment delivery efficiency than IMRT technique. Seven- and 9-field IMRT slightly reduce the low dose radiation exposure of breasts compared with VMAT technique. The 7- and 9-field IMRT and VMAT techniques both can be safely and efficiently delivered to patients with PMBCL.     

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。     

An in silico comparative dosimetric study of postmastectomy locoregional irradiation using intensity-modulated vs 3-dimensional conventional radiotherapy

An in silico dosimetric evaluation of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) vs 3-dimensional conventional radiation therapy (3D-CRT) treatment plans in postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) to the chest wall and regional lymphatics was conducted. Twenty-five consecutive patients with breast cancer referred for locoregional PMRT, stages T_2-4 with N_1-3, were planned to receive 50?Gy in 25 fractions with IMRT. Additionally, a 3D-CRT plan was generated using identical contours for the clinical target volumes (CTV), planning target volumes (PTV), and organs at risk (OAR). Treatment plans were assessed using dose-volume histogram (DVH) parameters of D₉₈, D₉₅, D₅₀, D₂, and homogeneity index for individual CTVs and PTVs. OARs evaluated were ipsilateral and contralateral lungs, heart, spinal cord, and opposite breast. Most DVH parameters pertaining to CTVs and PTVs significantly favored IMRT. V₂₀ for ipsilateral and contralateral lungs, D₃₃ of heart and maximum dose to spinal cord favored IMRT (all p?<?0.001). The mean dose to the opposite breast was significantly lesser with 3D-CRT (5.8?±?1.8?Gy vs 2.0?±?1.0?Gy, p?<?0.001). Thus, except for the mean dose to the opposite breast, the compliance to DVH constraints applied to PTV and OARs were significantly better with IMRT. At a median follow-up of 76 months (7-91), none had locoregional failure or pulmonary or cardiac morbidity. For PMRT, requiring comprehensive irradiation to both chest wall and regional lymphatics, IMRT offers superior dosimetric advantages over 3D-CRT. This was also corroborated by long-term outcomes in these patients treated with IMRT.     

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.     

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.     

Volumetric-modulated arc radiotherapy for pancreatic malignancies: Dosimetric comparison with sliding-window intensity-modulated radiotherapy and 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy

Volumetric-modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT) is an iteration of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), both of which deliver highly conformal dose distributions. Studies have shown the superiority of VMAT and IMRT in comparison with 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) in planning target volume (PTV) coverage and organs-at-risk (OARs) sparing. This is the first study examining the benefits of VMAT in pancreatic cancer for doses more than 55.8 Gy. A planning study comparing 3D-CRT, IMRT, and VMAT was performed in 20 patients with pancreatic cancer. Treatments were planned for a 25-fraction delivery of 45 Gy to a large field followed by a reduced-volume 8-fraction external beam boost to 59.4 Gy in total. OARs and PTV doses, conformality index (CI) deviations from 1.0, monitor units (MUs) delivered, and isodose volumes were compared. IMRT and VMAT CI deviations from 1.0 for the large-field and the boost plans were equivalent (large field: 0.032 and 0.046, respectively; boost: 0.042 and 0.037, respectively; p > 0.05 for all comparisons). Both IMRT and VMAT CI deviations from 1.0 were statistically superior to 3D-CRT (large field: 0.217, boost: 0.177; p < 0.05 for all comparisons). VMAT showed reduction of the mean dose to the boost PTV (VMAT: 61.4 Gy, IMRT: 62.4 Gy, and 3D-CRT: 62.3 Gy; p < 0.05). The mean number of MUs per fraction was significantly lower for VMAT for both the large-field and the boost plans. VMAT delivery time was less than 3 minutes compared with 8 minutes for IMRT. Although no statistically significant dose reduction to the OARs was identified when comparing VMAT with IMRT, VMAT showed a reduction in the volumes of the 100% isodose line for the large-field plans. Dose escalation to 59.4 Gy in pancreatic cancer is dosimetrically feasible with shorter treatment times, fewer MUs delivered, and comparable CIs for VMAT when compared with IMRT.     

TomoDirect技术在全脑全脊髓放疗中的应用

目的 为全脑全脊髓放疗建立新的TomoDirect技术(TD)布野方案,并评价剂量学参数。方法 对本院收治的7例全脑全脊髓放疗患者进行回顾性研究,在Tomo计划系统分别设计5野TD、3野TD和螺旋断层治疗(helical tomotherapy, HT)计划,比较3种计划的靶区适形指数(CI)、均匀性指数(HI)、危及器官受量、治疗时间和机器跳数(MU)。结果 除3野TD计划外其余两者均能获得较好的靶区适形度和均匀性。其中5野TD计划靶区受量明显优于3野TD计划,但略逊于HT计划;危及器官受量则各有优势。5野TD、3野TD和HT计划的靶区平均CI分别为0.79、0.57和0.88;靶区HI分别为1.06、1.16和1.05;双肺V₂₀分别为1.99%、3.30%和2.16%;心脏平均剂量分别为6.17、12.38和10.72 Gy;肝脏平均剂量分别为5.21、5.14和4.62 Gy;左侧肾脏平均剂量分别为4.30、1.99和5.03 Gy;右侧肾脏平均剂量分别为4.42、2.09和4.91 Gy。靶区以外的正常组织V₅分别为46.80%、28.06%和55.54%。5野TD计划的治疗时间最短,5野TD、3野TD及HT计划的平均治疗时间分别为677、721和907 s,MU数分别是8 773、9 657和12 581。结论 5野的TD技术应用于全脑全脊髓放疗具有一定优势,适用于难以坚持长时间治疗,且希望减少低剂量范围的患者。     

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.     

移动滑轨在椎体瘤调强放疗计划中的动态剂量扰动

目的 研究Qfix kVue治疗床移动滑轨在椎体瘤调强放射治疗(IMRT)计划中的动态剂量扰动。方法 移除EDGE直线加速器碳基绝缘滑轨,进行CT扫描并上传至治疗计划系统,重建床板和滑轨模型。依据均质模体和非均质患者CT,分别制作6和10 MV光子IMRT计划(180°、200°、220°、160°、140°),处方剂量为3 Gy/次,共10次,采用AcruosXB计算剂量。分别制作无滑轨和双侧滑轨对称移动(4~19 cm,步长1 cm)的优化计划。在优化计划中添加、移除滑轨结构,创建验证计划。对比分析验证计划和优化计划的差异,包括靶区平均剂量(D_mean)、均匀性指数(HI)、适形度指数(CI)和脊髓最大剂量(D_max)。结果 有无滑轨患者靶区HI均变差,其最大差值为2%。6 MV有滑轨时患者靶区D_mean减少(2.07±0.99)%,靶区CI值增加(4.91±3.12)%,脊髓D_max减少(1.83±1.37)%。无滑轨时患者靶区D_mean增加(2.02±0.96)%,靶区CI减少(3.07±1.31)%,脊髓D_max增加(2.03±1.44)%。移除和添加滑轨组间,靶区D_mean、CI和脊髓D_max差值差异有统计学意义(F=27.55、361.32、13.05,P<0.05)。靶区D_mean和脊髓D_max随滑轨位置变化呈倾斜的"W"减少。在滑轨＜10 cm范围内,差值出现极大值。当滑轨向外侧移动时,差值逐渐减小为0,6 MV计划中靶区D_mean和脊髓D_max变化值＞10 MV。结论 Qfix kVue治疗床滑轨位置变化对椎体瘤IMRT计划扰动不可忽略,计划制作时应予以考虑,治疗时滑轨应与计划位置保持一致。     

Improvement in plan quality after Implementation of clinical goals in a large network of cancer centers

Clinical Goals (CG) is a tool available in the Varian Eclipse planning system to objectively and visually evaluate the quality of treatment plans based upon user-defined dose-volume parameters. We defined a set of CG for Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) and Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) based on published data and guidelines and implemented this in a network of cancer centers in India (American Institute of Oncology). A dosimetric study was performed to compare brain SRS and breast IMRT plan quality before and after CG implementation.The CG defined for SRS plans were target V_100% ≥ 98%, dose gradient measure (GM) ≤ 0.5 cm, conformity index (CI) 1.0 to 1.2. For breast IMRT plans, CG defined target V_100% ≥ 97%, V_95% ≥ 95%, V_107% ≤ 2%, V_105% ≤ 10%, and D_max ≤ 2.4 Gy. Dose limits to organs-at-risk (OAR) were summarize in supplemental materials. Twenty brain SRS and 10 breast IMRT treatment plans that were previously delivered on patients were selected and re-planned using CG. The pre and postoptimized plan parameters were compared using student t-tests.For brain SRS plans, the V₁₀₀, GM, and CI for the pre- and post-Clinical-Goals plans were 93.22% ± 7.2% vs 97.96% ± 0.29% (p = 0.009), 0.63 ± 0.16 vs 0.42 ± 0.05 (p < 0.001) and 1.07 ± 0.18 vs 1.06 ± 0.06 (p = 0.79), respectively. There were no differences in max dose to OARs. In breast IMRT plans, the target V_107% for pre and postimplemented plans were 16.50% ± 10.98% vs 0.32% ± 0.32%, respectively (p = 0.001). The average target V_105% were 44.00% ± 15.72% and 8.69% ± 4.53%, respectively (p < 0.001). No differences were found in the average target V_100% (p = 0.128) and V_95% (p = 0.205). The average target D_max were 112.28% ± 1.59% and 109.14% ± 0.73%, respectively (p < 0.001). There were only minor differences in doses to OARs.The implementation of CG in Varian Eclipse significantly improved SRS and IMRT plan quality with enhanced coverage, dose GM, and CI without increased dose to OARs.