A four-dimensional CT-based evaluation of techniques for gastric irradiation

PURPOSE: To evaluate three-dimensional conformal (3D-CRT), intensity-modulated (IMRT) and respiration-gated radiotherapy (RGRT) techniques for gastric irradiation for target coverage and minimization of renal doses. All techniques were four-dimensional (4D)-CT based, incorporating the intrafractional mobility of the target volume and organs at risk (OAR). METHODS AND MATERIALS: The stomach, duodenal C-loop, and OAR (kidneys, liver, and heart) were contoured in all 10 phases of planning 4D-CT scans for five patients who underwent abdominal radiotherapy. Planning target volumes (PTVs) encompassing all positions of the stomach (PTV(all phases)) were generated. Three respiratory phases for RGRT in inspiration and expiration were identified, and corresponding PTV(inspiration) and PTV(expiration) and OAR volumes were created. Landmark-based fields recommended for the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 99-04 study protocol were simulated to assess PTV coverage. IMRT and 3D-CRT planning with and without additional RGRT planning were performed for all PTVs, and corresponding dose volume histograms were analyzed. RESULTS: Use of landmark-based fields did not result in full geometric coverage of the PTV(all phases) in any patient. IMRT significantly reduced mean renal doses compared with 3D-CRT (15.0 Gy +/- 0.9 Gy vs. 20.1 Gy +/- 9.3 Gy and 16.6 Gy +/- 1.5 Gy vs. 32.6 Gy +/- 7.1 Gy for the left and right kidneys, respectively; p = 0.04). No significant increase in renal sparing was seen when adding RGRT to either 3D-CRT or IMRT. Tolerance doses to the other OAR were not exceeded. CONCLUSIONS: Individualized field margins are essential for gastric irradiation. IMRT plans significantly reduce renal doses, but the benefits of RGRT in gastric irradiation appear to be limited.     

Assessment of extended-field radiotherapy for stage IIIC endometrial cancer using three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy, and helical tomotherapy

PURPOSE: To perform a dosimetric comparison of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT), intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and helical tomotherapy (HT) plans for pelvic and para-aortic RT in postoperative endometrial cancer patients; and to evaluate the integral dose (ID) received by critical structures within the radiation fields. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We selected 10 patients with Stage IIIC endometrial cancer. For each patient, three plans were created with 3D-CRT, IMRT, and HT. The IMRT and HT plans were both optimized to keep the mean dose to the planning target volume (PTV) the same as that with 3D-CRT. The dosimetry and ID for the critical structures were compared. A paired two-tailed Student t test was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Compared with the 3D-CRT plans, the IMRT plans resulted in lower IDs in the organs at risk (OARs), ranging from -3.49% to -17.59%. The HT plans showed a similar result except that the ID for the bowel increased 0.27%. The IMRT and HT plans both increased the IDs to normal tissue (see Table 1 and text for definition), pelvic bone, and spine (range, 3.31-19.7%). The IMRT and HT dosimetry showed superior PTV coverage and better OAR sparing than the 3D-CRT dosimetry. Compared directly with IMRT, HT showed similar PTV coverage, lower Ids, and a decreased dose to most OARs. CONCLUSION: Intensity-modulated RT and HT appear to achieve excellent PTV coverage and better sparing of OARs, but at the expense of increased IDs to normal tissue and skeleton. HT allows for additional improvement in dosimetry and sparing of most OARs.     

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy for lymphoma involving the mediastinum

PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility, potential advantage, and indications for intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in the treatment of Hodgkin's lymphoma or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma involving excessively large mediastinal disease volumes or requiring repeat RT. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Sixteen patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 11) or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (n = 5) undergoing primary radiotherapy or repeat RT delivered via an IMRT plan were studied. The indications for using an IMRT plan were previous mediastinal RT (n = 5) or extremely large mediastinal treatment volumes (n = 11). For each patient, IMRT, conventional parallel-opposed (AP-PA), and three-dimensional conformal (3D-CRT) plans were designed using 6-MV X-rays to deliver doses ranging from 18 to 45 Gy (median, 36 Gy). The plans were compared with regard to dose-volume parameters. The IMRT/AP-PA and IMRT/3D-CRT ratios were calculated for each parameter. RESULTS: For all patients, the mean lung dose was reduced using IMRT, on average, by 12% compared with AP-PA and 14% compared with 3D-CRT. The planning target volume coverage was also improved using IMRT compared with AP-PA but was not different from the planning target volume coverage obtained with 3D-CRT. CONCLUSION: In selected patients with Hodgkin's lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma involving the mediastinum, IMRT provides improved planning target volume coverage and reduces pulmonary toxicity parameters. It is feasible for RT of large treatment volumes and allows repeat RT of relapsed disease without exceeding cord tolerance. Additional follow-up is necessary to determine whether improvements in dose delivery affect long-term morbidity and disease control.     

Comparison of inverse-planned three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE: Lungs are the major dose-limiting organ during radiotherapy (RT) for non-small-cell lung cancer owing to the development of pneumonitis. This study compared intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) with three-dimensional conformal RT (3D-CRT) in reducing the dose to the lungs. METHODS: Ten patients with localized non-small-cell lung cancer underwent computed tomography (CT). The planning target volume (PTV) was defined and the organs at risk were outlined. An inverse-planning program, AutoPlan, was used to design the beam angle-optimized six-field noncoplanar 3D-CRT plans. Each 3D-CRT plan was compared with a series of five IMRT plans per patient. The IMRT plans were created using a commercial algorithm and consisted of a series of three, five, seven, and nine equidistant coplanar field arrangements and one six-field noncoplanar plan. The planning objectives were to minimize the lung dose while maintaining the dose to the PTV. The percentage of lung volume receiving >20 Gy (V20) and the percentage of the PTV covered by the 90% isodose (PTV90) were the primary endpoints. The PTV90/V20 ratio was used as the parameter accounting for both the reduction in lung volume treated and the PTV coverage. RESULTS: All IMRT plans, except for the three-field coplanar plans, improved the PTV90/V20 ratio significantly compared with the optimized 3D-CRT plan. Nine coplanar IMRT beams were significantly better than five or seven coplanar IMRT beams, with an improved PTV90/V20 ratio. CONCLUSION: The results of our study have shown that IMRT can reduce the dose to the lungs compared with 3D-CRT by improving the conformity of the plan.     

Comparison of intensity-modulated postoperative radiotherapy with conventional postoperative conformal radiotherapy for retroperitoneal sarcoma]

External postoperative radiation therapy for retroperitoneal sarcoma is an example of treatment using large fields for complex shaped volumes of irradiation. Prescribed dose is limited by tolerance of adjacent organs at risk (OAR). From a recent case treated by conventional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT), we evaluate the benefit of five theoretical IMRT plans. Criteria used are calculated from DVH related to delineated PTV and OAR. IMRT should permit to enhance the prescribed dose without increasing dose in the OAR (especially residual kidney, spinal cord and small bowel). This theoretical study show the feasibility of a dose escalation from a treatment dose of 45 Gy delivered by 3D-CRT up to a planning dose of 54 Gy calculated by IMRT with: for the PTV: an improvement of the dose homogeneity about 5% (range 2-6%) and moreover the coverage factor (CF) about 13% (range 9-16%); for the OAR: an improvement of the protection factor (PF) about 20% (range 11-24%); and thus an improved conformity index (CI = CF x PF) about 25% (range 15-32%).     

Comparison of treatment plans using intensity-modulated radiotherapy and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for paranasal sinus carcinoma

PURPOSE: To compare intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) treatment planning with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) planning for paranasal sinus carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Treatment plans using traditional 3-field technique, 3D-CRT planning, and inverse planning IMRT were developed for a case of paranasal sinus cancer requiring adjuvant radiotherapy. Plans were compared with respect to dose conformality, dose-volume histograms, doses to critical normal tissues, and ease of treatment delivery. RESULTS: The inverse-planned IMRT technique was more conformal around the tumor target volume than conventional techniques. The dose-volume histograms demonstrated significantly better critical normal-tissue sparing with the IMRT plans, while able to deliver a minimum dose of 60 Gy to the clinical tumor volume and 70 Gy to the gross tumor volume. Acute toxicities in our analysis were minimal. CONCLUSIONS: IMRT planning provided improved tumor target coverage when compared to 3D-CRT treatment planning. There was significant sparing of optic structures and other normal tissues, including the brainstem. Inverse planning IMRT provided the best treatment for all paranasal sinus carcinomas, but required stringent immobilization criteria. Further studies are needed to establish the true clinical advantage of this modality.     

Can All Centers Plan Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) Effectively? An External Audit of Dosimetric Comparisons Between Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy and IMRT for Adjuvant Chemoradiation for Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: To compare dosimetric endpoints between three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) at our center with limited IMRT experience, and to perform an external audit of the IMRT plans. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Ten patients, who received adjuvant chemoradiation for gastric cancer, formed the study cohort. For standardization, the planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk were recontoured with the assistance of a study protocol radiologic atlas. The cohort was replanned with CMS Xio to generate coplanar 3D-CRT and IMRT plans. All 10 datasets, including volumes but without the plans (i.e., blinded), were transmitted to an experienced center where IMRT plans were designed using Nomos Corvus (IMRT-C) and ADAC Pinnacle (IMRT-P). All IMRT plans were normalized to D95% receiving 45 Gy. RESULTS: Intensity-modulated radiotherapy yielded higher PTV V45 (volume that receives > or = 45 Gy) (p < 0.001) than 3D-CRT. No difference in V20 was seen in the right (p = 0.9) and left (p = 0.3) kidneys, but the liver mean dose (p < 0.001) was superior with IMRT. For the external audit, IMRT-C (p = 0.002) and IMRT-P (p < 0.001) achieved significantly lower left kidney V20 than IMRT, and IMRT-P (p < 0.001) achieved lower right kidney V20 than IMRT. The IMRT-C (p = 0.003) but not IMRT-P (p = 0.6) had lower liver mean doses than IMRT. CONCLUSIONS: At our institution with early IMRT experience, IMRT improved PTV dose coverage and liver doses but not kidney doses. An external audit of IMRT plans showed that an experienced center can yield superior IMRT plans.     

胃癌术后放疗方式对肾脏剂量学影响的比较研究

目的:比较胃癌术后三维适形放疗(3D-CRT)与调强适形放疗(IMRT)对肾脏剂量学的分布影响.方法:选择9例根治术后的进展期胃癌患者,应用Pinnacal三维计划系统(TPS)分别为每例患者设计4野3D-CRT和5、7野IMRT,所有计划给予处方剂量95％的计划靶体积(PTV)＞45 Gy; IMRT同时要求99％的PTV体积＞42.75 Gy.应用等剂量曲线及剂量体积直方图(DVH)比较各个计划之间靶区剂量的分布和肾脏的剂量受量差异.结果:4野3D-CRT和5、7野IMRT的靶区V45分别为0.96±0.03、0.95±0.02和0.95±0.02.所有计划靶区均满足处方剂量,与4野3D-CRT相比,IMRT明显提高靶区的剂量的均匀性(HI)和适形度(CI),并且降低双侧肾脏18 Gy的剂量体积百分比(V18),但在低剂量(10 Gy)体积百分比(V10)3种放射方式之间差异无统计学意义,P＞0.05.5和7野IMRT之间不论在靶区剂量分布还是危及器官的剂量受量上均差异无统计学意义,P＞0.05.结论:与3D-CRT比较,IMRT明显提高靶区均匀性,降低肾脏剂量受量和剂量体积百分比,但在V10上3种计划间差异无统计学意义.     

Is intensity-modulated radiotherapy better than conventional radiation treatment and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for mediastinal masses in patients with Hodgkin’s disease,and is there a role for beam orientation optimization and dose constraints assigned to virtual volumes?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of beam orientation optimization and the role of virtual volumes (VVs) aimed at protecting adjacent organs at risk (OARs), and to compare various intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) setups with conventional treatment with anterior and posterior fields and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Patients with mediastinal masses in Hodgkin's disease were treated with combined modality therapy (three to six cycles of adriamycin, bleomycin, vinblastine, and dacarbazine [ABVD] before radiation treatment). Contouring and treatment planning were performed with Somavision and CadPlan Helios (Varian Systems, Palo Alto, CA). The gross tumor volume was determined according to the prechemotherapy length and the postchemotherapy width of the mediastinal tumor mass. A 10-mm isotropic margin was added for the planning target volume (PTV). Because dose constraints assigned to OARs led to unsatisfactory PTV coverage, VVs were designed for each patient to protect adjacent OARs. The prescribed dose was 40 Gy to the PTV, delivered according to guidelines from International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements Report No. 50. Five different IMRT treatment plans were compared with conventional treatment and 3D-CRT. RESULTS: Beam orientation was important with respect to the amount of irradiated normal tissues. The best compromise in terms of PTV coverage and protection of normal tissues was obtained with five equally spaced beams (5FEQ IMRT plan) using dose constraints assigned to VVs. When IMRT treatment plans were compared with conventional treatment and 3D-CRT, dose conformation with IMRT was significantly better, with greater protection of the heart, coronary arteries, esophagus, and spinal cord. The lungs and breasts in women received a slightly higher radiation dose with IMRT compared with conventional treatments. The greater volume of normal tissue receiving low radiation doses could be a cause for concern. CONCLUSIONS: The 5FEQ IMRT plan with dose constraints assigned to the PTV and VV allows better dose conformation than conventional treatment and 3D-CRT, notably with better protection of the heart and coronary arteries. Of concern is the "spreading out" of low doses to the rest of the patient's body.     

Combined photon and electron three-dimensional conformal versus intensity-modulated radiotherapy with integrated boost for adjuvant treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma after pleuropneumonectomy

PURPOSE: The optimal technique for postoperative radiotherapy (RT) after extrapleural pleuropneumonectomy (EPP) of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) remains debated. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The data from 8 right-sided and 9 left-sided consecutive cases of MPM treated with RT after radical EPP were reviewed. Of the 17 patients, 8 had been treated with three-dimensional (3D) conformal RT (3D-CRT) and 9 with intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) with 6-MV photons. The clinical outcome and adverse events were assessed. For comparative planning, each case was replanned with 3D-CRT using photons and electrons or with IMRT. Homogeneity, doses to the organs at risk, and target volume coverage were analyzed. RESULTS: Both techniques yielded acceptable plans. The dose coverage and homogeneity of IMRT increased by 7.7% for the first planning target volume and 9.7% for the second planning target volume, ensuring >or=95% of the prescribed dose compared with 3D-CRT (p < 0.01). Compared with 3D-CRT, IMRT increased the dose to the contralateral lung, with an increase in the mean lung dose of 7.8 Gy and an increase in the volume receiving 13 Gy and 20 Gy by 20.5% and 7.2%, respectively (p < 0.01). A negligible dose increase to the contralateral kidney and liver was observed. No differences were seen for the spinal cord and ipsilateral kidney. Two adverse events of clinical relevant lung toxicity were observed with IMRT. CONCLUSION: Intensity-modulated RT and 3D-CRT are both suitable for adjuvant RT. IMRT improves the planning target volume coverage but delivered greater doses to the organs at risk. Rigid dose constraints for the lung should be respected.     

Persistently better treatment planning results of intensity-modulated (IMRT) over conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) in prostate cancer patients with significant variation of clinical target volume and/or organs-at-risk

PURPOSE: To compare the dose coverage of planning and clinical target volume (PTV, CTV), and organs-at-risk (OAR) between intensity-modulated (3D-IMRT) and conventional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) before and after internal organ variation in prostate cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We selected 10 patients with clinically significant interfraction volume changes. Patients were treated with 3D-IMRT to 80 Gy (minimum PTV dose of 76 Gy, excluding rectum). Fictitious, equivalent 3D-CRT plans (80 Gy at isocenter, with 95% isodose (76 Gy) coverage of PTV, with rectal blocking above 76 Gy) were generated using the same planning CT data set ("CT planning"). The plans were then also applied to a verification CT scan ("CT verify") obtained at a different moment. PTV, CTV, and OAR dose coverage were compared using non-parametric tests statistics for V95, V90 (% of the volume receiving 95 or 90% of the dose) and D50 (dose to 50% of the volume). RESULTS: Mean V95 of the PTV for "CT planning" was 94.3% (range, 88-99) vs 89.1% (range, 84-94.5) for 3D-IMRT and 3D-CRT (p=0.005), respectively. Mean V95 of the CTV for "CT verify" was 97% for both 3D-IMRT and 3D-CRT. Mean D50 of the rectum for "CT planning" was 26.8 Gy (range, 22-35) vs 43.5 Gy (range, 33.5-50.5) for 3D-IMRT and 3D-CRT (p=0.0002), respectively. For "CT verify", this D50 was 31.1 Gy (range, 16.5-44) vs 44.2 Gy (range, 34-55) for 3D-IMRT and 3D-CRT (p=0.006), respectively. V95 of the rectum was 0% for both plans for "CT planning", and 2.3% (3D-IMRT) vs 2.1% (3D-CRT) for "CT verify" (p=non-sig.). CONCLUSION: Dose coverage of the PTV and OAR was better with 3D-IMRT for each patient and remained so after internal volume changes.     

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy improves target coverage, spinal cord sparing and allows dose escalation in patients with locally advanced cancer of the larynx.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An investigation has been carried out into the potential of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) to improve the coverage of the targets and the sparing of the spinal cord (SC) in radiotherapy treatment of the larynx and bilateral cervical lymph nodes, in patients with advanced larynx cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Conventional radiotherapy (CRT) and IMRT plans were produced for six patients to treat the larynx (PTV1) and lymph nodes (PTV2) to 50 Gy (phase 1). A second plan was created to treat the PTV1 to 65 Gy and PTV2 to 50 Gy (phases 1 and 2). The potential to escalate the dose to both the larynx (to 67 Gy) and the nodes (to 56 Gy) was investigated for the IMRT plans. RESULTS: The phase 1 treatment gave average minimum doses (dose received by 99% volume) of 38.1 (+/-8.2) and 48.5 (+/-0.2)Gy for PTV1, treated by CRT and IMRT, respectively, and 35.9 (+/-2.9) and 46.2 (+/-1.8)Gy for PTV2. For the two phase treatment the average minimum doses to PTV1 were 51.6 (+/-8.2) (CRT) and 62.1 (+/-0.7)Gy (IMRT) (p=0.028) and for PTV2 were 36.2 (+/-2.9) (CRT) and 46.8 (+/-0.5)Gy (IMRT) (P=0.0004). The average maximum doses (dose received by 1% volume) to the SC were 42.5 (+/-1.9) (CRT) and 37.9 (+/-1.4)Gy (IMRT) (P=0.01). For the dose escalated IMRT plans the minimum dose to PTV1 was 64.6 (+/-0.5) and 50.8 (+/-1.8)Gy to PTV2. The average SC maximum was 41.5 (+/-1.6)Gy. CONCLUSIONS: IMRT offers improved target homogeneity and reduces irradiation of the SC. This sparing of normal tissue structures is sufficient that significant dose escalation of both the larynx and lymph nodes may be possible.     

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: dosimetric advantage over conventional plans and feasibility of dose escalation

PURPOSE: To compare intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with two-dimensional RT (2D-RT) and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) treatment plans in different stages of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and to explore the feasibility of dose escalation in locally advanced disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three patients with different stages (T1N0M0, T2bN2M0 with retrostyloid extension, and T4N2M0) were selected, and 2D-RT, 3D-CRT, and IMRT treatment plans (66 Gy) were made for each of them and compared with respect to target coverage, normal tissue sparing, and tumor control probability/normal tissue complication probability values. In the Stage T2b and T4 patients, the IMRT 66-Gy plan was combined with a 3D-CRT 14-Gy boost plan using a 3-mm micromultileaf collimator, and the dose-volume histograms of the summed plans were compared with their corresponding 66-Gy 2D-RT plans. RESULTS: In the dosimetric comparison of 2D-RT, 3D-CRT, and IMRT treatment plans, the T1N0M0 patient had better sparing of the parotid glands and temporomandibular joints with IMRT (dose to 50% parotid volume, 57 Gy, 50 Gy, and 31 Gy, respectively). In the T2bN2M0 patient, the dose to 95% volume of the planning target volume improved from 57.5 Gy in 2D-RT to 64.8 Gy in 3D-CRT and 68 Gy in IMRT. In the T4N2M0 patient, improvement in both target coverage and brainstem/temporal lobe sparing was seen with IMRT planning. In the dose-escalation study for locally advanced disease, IMRT 66 Gy plus 14 Gy 3D-CRT boost achieved an improvement in the therapeutic ratio by delivering a higher dose to the target while keeping the normal organs below the maximal tolerance dose. CONCLUSIONS: IMRT is useful in treating all stages of nonmetastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma because of its dosimetric advantages. In early-stage disease, it provides better parotid gland sparing. In locally advanced disease, IMRT offers better tumor coverage and normal organ sparing and allows room for dose escalation.