Optimization and quality assurance of an image-guided radiation therapy system for intensity-modulated radiation therapy radiotherapy

To develop a quality assurance (QA) of XVI cone beam system (XVIcbs) for its optimal imaging-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) implementation, and to construe prostate tumor margin required for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) if IGRT is unavailable. XVIcbs spatial accuracy was explored with a humanoid phantom; isodose conformity to lesion target with a rice phantom housing a soap as target; image resolution with a diagnostic phantom; and exposure validation with a Radcal ion chamber. To optimize XVIcbs, rotation flexmap on coincidency between gantry rotational axis and that of XVI cone beam scan was investigated. Theoretic correlation to image quality of XVIcbs rotational axis stability was elaborately studied. Comprehensive QA of IGRT using XVIcbs has initially been explored and then implemented on our general IMRT treatments, and on special IMRT radiotherapies such as head and neck (H and N), stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). Fifteen examples of prostate setup accounted for 350 IGRT cone beam system were analyzed. IGRT accuracy results were in agreement ± 1 mm. Flexmap 0.25 mm met the manufacturer's specification. Films confirmed isodose coincidence with target (soap) via XVIcbs, otherwise not. Superficial doses were measured from 7.2–2.5 cGy for anatomic diameters 15–33 cm, respectively. Image quality was susceptible to rotational stability or patient movement. IGRT using XVIcbs on general IMRT treatments such as prostate, SRT, SRS, and SBRT for setup accuracy were verified; and subsequently coordinate shifts corrections were recorded. The 350 prostate IGRT coordinate shifts modeled to Gaussian distributions show central peaks deviated off the isocenter by 0.6 ± 3.0 mm, 0.5 ± 4.5 mm in the X(RL)- and Z(SI)-coordinates, respectively; and 2.0 ± 3.0 mm in the Y(AP)-coordinate as a result of belly and bladder capacity variations. Sixty-eight percent of confidence was within ± 4.5 mm coordinates shifting. IGRT using XVIcbs is critical to IMRT for prostate and H and N, especially SRT, SRS, and SBRT. To optimize this modality of IGRT, a vigilant QA program is indispensable. Prostate IGRT reveals treatment accuracy as subject to coordinates' adjustments; otherwise a 4.5-mm margin is required to allow for full dose coverage of the clinical target volume, notwithstanding toxicity to normal tissues.     

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.     

Sparing of the penile bulb and proximal penile structures with intensity-modulated radiation therapy for prostate cancer

Quality of life is an important consideration in the treatment of early prostate cancer. Laboratory and clinical data suggest that higher radiation doses delivered to the bulb of penis and proximal penile structures correlates with higher rates of post-radiation impotence. The goal of this investigation was to determine if intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) spares dose to the penile bulb while maintaining coverage of the prostate. 10 consecutive patients with clinically organ confined prostate cancer were planned with 3D conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) or IMRT to give a dose of 74 Gy without specifically constraining the plans to spare the penile bulb. All 10 patients were ultimately treated with IMRT. Dose-volume histograms were evaluated and the doses to prostate, rectum, bladder and penile bulb were compared. IMRT reduced the mean penile bulb doses compared with 3D-CRT (33.2 Gy vs 48.9 Gy, p<0.001), the percentage of penile bulb receiving over 40 Gy (37.7% vs 67.2%, p<0.001) and the dose received by >95% of penile bulb (5.3 Gy vs 11.7 Gy, p=0.003). Maximum penile bulb doses were higher with IMRT (81.2 Gy vs 73.1 Gy, p<0.001) although the volume of this high dose region was small. Both methods resulted in similar coverage of the prostate. The volume of rectum receiving 70 Gy was significantly reduced with IMRT (18.4% vs 21.9%, p=0.003) but the volumes of bladder receiving 70 Gy were similar (p=0.3). IMRT may potentially reduce long term sexual morbidity by reducing the dose to the majority of the penile bulb.     

Treatment of pancreatic cancer tumors with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) using the volume at risk approach (VARA): employing dose-volume histogram (DVH) and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) to evaluate small bowel toxicity.

The emergent use of a combined modality approach (chemotherapy and radiation) in pancreatic cancer is associated with increased gastrointestinal toxicity. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has the potential to deliver adequate dose to the tumor volume while decreasing the dose to critical structures such as the small bowel. We evaluated the influence of IMRT with inverse treatment planning on the dose-volume histograms (DVHs) of normal tissue compared to standard 3-dimensional conformal radiation treatment (3D-CRT) in patients with pancreatic cancer. Between July 1999 and May 2001, 10 randomly selected patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head were planned simultaneously with 3D-CRT and inverse-planned IMRT using the volume at risk approach (VaRA) and compared for various dosimetric parameters. DVH and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) were calculated using IMRT and 3D-CRT plans. The aim of the treatment plan was to deliver 61.2 Gy to the gross tumor volume (GTV) and 45 Gy to the clinical treatment volume (CTV) while maintaining critical normal tissues to below specified tolerances. IMRT plans were more conformal than 3D-CRT plans. The average dose delivered to one third of the small bowel was lower with the IMRT plan compared to 3D-CRT. The IMRT plan resulted in one third of the small bowel receiving 30.2+/-12.9 Gy vs. 38.5+/-14.2 Gy with 3D-CRT (p = 0.006). The median volume of small bowel that received greater than either 50 or 60 Gy was reduced with IMRT. The median volume of small bowel exceeding 50 Gy was 19.2+/-11.2% (range 3% to 45%) compared to 31.4+/-21.3 (range 7% to 70%) for 3D-CRT (p = 0.048). The median volume of small bowel that received greater than 60 Gy was 12.5+/-4.8% for IMRT compared to 19.8+/-18.6% for 3D-CRT (p = 0.034). The VaRA approach employing IMRT techniques resulted in a lower dose per volume of small bowel that exceeded 60 Gy. We used the Lyman-Kutcher models to compare the probability of small bowel injury employing IMRT compared to 3D-CRT. The BIOPLAN model predicted a small bowel complication probability of 9.3+/-6% with IMRT compared to 24.4+/-18.9% with 3D-CRT delivery of dose (p = 0.021). IMRT with an inverse treatment plan has the potential to significantly improve radiation therapy of pancreatic cancers by reducing normal tissue dose, and simultaneously allow escalation of dose to further enhance locoregional control.     

Postoperative Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy in High Risk Prostate Cancer: A Dosimetric Comparison

The aim of this study was to compare intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with 3D conformal technique (3D-CRT), with respect to target coverage and irradiation of organs at risk for high dose postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) of the prostate fossa. 3D-CRT and IMRT treatment plans were compared with respect to dose to the rectum and bladder. The dosimetric comparison was carried out in 15 patients considering 2 different scenarios: (1) exclusive prostate fossa irradiation, and (2) pelvic node irradiation followed by a boost on the prostate fossa. In scenario (1), a 3D-CRT plan (box technique) and an IMRT plan were calculated and compared for each patient. In scenario (2), 3 treatment plans were calculated and compared for each patient: (a) 3D-CRT box technique for both pelvic (prophylactic nodal irradiation) and prostate fossa irradiation (3D-CRT only); (b) 3D-CRT box technique for pelvic irradiation followed by an IMRT boost to the prostatic fossa (hybrid 3D-CRT and IMRT); and (c) IMRT for both pelvic and prostate fossa irradiation (IMRT only). For exclusive prostate fossa irradiation, IMRT significantly reduced the dose to the rectum (lower Dmean, V50%, V75%, V90%, V100%, EUD, and NTCP) and the bladder (lower Dmean, V50%, V90%, EUD and NTCP). When prophylactic irradiation of the pelvis was also considered, plan C (IMRT only) performed better than plan B (hybrid 3D-CRT and IMRT) as respect to both rectum and bladder irradiation (reduction of Dmean, V50%, V75%, V90%, equivalent uniform dose [EUD], and normal tissue complication probability [NTCP]). Plan (b) (hybrid 3D-CRT and IMRT) performed better than plan (a) (3D-CRT only) with respect to dose to the rectum (lower Dmean, V75%, V90%, V100%, EUD, and NTCP) and the bladder (Dmean, EUD, and NTCP). Postoperative IMRT in prostate cancer significantly reduces rectum and bladder irradiation compared with 3D-CRT.     

Dosimetric Characteristics of the Siemens IGRT Carbon Fiber Tabletop

In this work, the dosimetric characteristics of a new commercial carbon fiber treatment table are investigated. The photon beam attenuation properties of the Siemens image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) tabletop were studied in detail. Two sets of dosimetric measurements were performed. In the first experiment a polystyrene slab phantom was used: the central axis attenuation and the skin-sparing detriment were investigated. In the second experiment, the off-axis treatment table transmission was investigated using a polystyrene cylindrical phantom. Measurements were taken at the isocenter for a 360° rotation of the radiation beam. Our results show that the photon beam attenuation of the Siemens IGRT carbon fiber tabletop varies from a minimum of 2.1% (central axis) to a maximum of 4.6% (120° and 240° beam incidence). The beam entrance dose increases from 82% to 97% of the dose at the depth of maximum for a clinical 6-MV radiation field. The depth of maximum also decreases by 0.4 cm. Despite the wedge cross section of the table the beam attenuation properties of the IGRT tabletop remain constant along the longitudinal direction. American Association of Medical Dosimetrists.     

Dosimetric Characteristics of the Siemens IGRT Carbon Fiber Tabletop

In this work, the dosimetric characteristics of a new commercial carbon fiber treatment table are investigated. The photon beam attenuation properties of the Siemens image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) tabletop were studied in detail. Two sets of dosimetric measurements were performed. In the first experiment a polystyrene slab phantom was used: the central axis attenuation and the skin-sparing detriment were investigated. In the second experiment, the off-axis treatment table transmission was investigated using a polystyrene cylindrical phantom. Measurements were taken at the isocenter for a 360° rotation of the radiation beam. Our results show that the photon beam attenuation of the Siemens IGRT carbon fiber tabletop varies from a minimum of 2.1% (central axis) to a maximum of 4.6% (120° and 240° beam incidence). The beam entrance dose increases from 82% to 97% of the dose at the depth of maximum for a clinical 6-MV radiation field. The depth of maximum also decreases by 0.4 cm. Despite the wedge cross section of the table the beam attenuation properties of the IGRT tabletop remain constant along the longitudinal direction. American Association of Medical Dosimetrists.     

A case study of radiotherapy planning for a bilateral metal hip prosthesis prostate cancer patient.

The purpose of this report is to communicate the observed advantage of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in a patient with bilateral metallic hip prostheses. In this patient with early-stage low-risk disease, a dose of 74 Gy was planned in two phases--an initial 50 Gy to the prostate and seminal vesicles and an additional 24 Gy to the prostate alone. Each coplanar beam avoided the prosthesis in the beam's eye view. Using the same target expansions for each phase, IMRT and 3D-conformal radiotherapy (CRT) plans were compared for target coverage and inhomogeneity as well as dose to the bladder and rectum. The results of the analysis demonstrated that IMRT provided superior target coverage with reduced dose to normal tissues for both individual phases of the treatment plan as well as for the composite treatment plan. The dose to the rectum was significantly reduced with the IMRT technique, with a composite V 80 of 35% for the IMRT plan versus 70% for 3D-CRT plan. Similarly, the dose to the bladder was significantly reduced with a V 80 of 9% versus 20%. Overall, various dosimetric parameters revealed the corresponding 3D-CRT plan would not have been acceptable. The results indicate significant success with IMRT in a clinical scenario where there were no curative alternatives for local treatment other than external beam radiotherapy. Therefore, definitive external beam radiation of prostate cancer patients with bilateral prosthesis is made feasible with IMRT. The work described herein may also have applicability to other groups of patients, such as those with gynecological or other pelvic malignancies.     

A dosimetric evaluation of dose escalation for the radical treatment of locally advanced vulvar cancer by intensity-modulated radiation therapy

The purpose of this planning study was to determine whether intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) reduces the radiation dose to organs at risk (OAR) when compared with 3D conventional radiation therapy (3D-CRT) in patients with vulvar cancer treated by irradiation. This study also investigated the use of sequential IMRT boost (seq-IMRT) and simultaneous integrated boost (SIB-IMRT) for dose escalation in the treatment of locally advanced vulvar cancer. Five vulvar cancer patients treated in the postoperative setting and 5 patients treated with definitive intent (def-group) were evaluated. For the postoperative group, 3D-CRT and IMRT plans to a total dose (TD) of 45 Gy were generated. For the def-group, 4 plans were generated: a 3D-CRT and an IMRT plan to a TD of 56.4 Gy, a SIB-IMRT plan to a TD of 56 Gy, and a SIB-IMRT with dose escalation (SIB-IMRT-esc): TD of 67.2 Gy. Mean dose and dose-volume histograms were compared using Student's t-test. IMRT significantly (all p < 0.05) reduced the D_mean, V30, and V40 for all OAR in the adjuvant setting. The V45 was also significantly reduced for all OAR except the bladder. For patients treated in the def-group, all IMRT techniques significantly reduced the D_mean, V40, and V45 for all OAR. The mean femur doses with SIB-IMRT and SIB-IMRT-esc were 47% and 49% lower compared with 3D-CRT. SIB-IMRT-esc reduced the doses to the OAR compared with seq-3D-CRT but increased the D_max. for the small bowel, rectum, and bladder. IMRT reduces the dose to the OAR compared with 3D-CRT in patients with vulvar cancer receiving irradiation to a volume covering the vulvar region and nodal areas without compromising the dosimetric coverage of the target volume. IMRT for vulvar cancer is feasible and an attractive option for dose escalation studies.     

Combining advanced radiotherapy technologies to maximize safety and tumor control probability in stage?III non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND: The goal of the current study was to investigate the tumor control probability (TCP) of advanced radiotherapy technologies for stage?III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to evaluate potential interplay effects between their applications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) with conventionally fractionated doses of 66?Gy served as reference for 13?patients with stage?III NSCLC. Isotoxic dose escalation relative to the corresponding 3D-CRT plans was performed for three technologies and their combinations: intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), IMRT with a simultaneous integrated boost (IMRT-SIB) of 10% to the gross tumor volume (GTV), and adaptive re-planning twice during the treatment course (ART). All analyses were based on accumulated dose distributions using deformable image registration of CT images, which were acquired weekly during the treatment course. RESULTS: IMRT reduced the mean lung dose (MLD) by 5.6%?±?3.8% compared to 3D-CRT. ART resulted in lung sparing of 7.9%?±?4.8% and 9.2%?±?3.9% in 3D-CRT and IMRT planning, respectively. IMRT and ART escalated the irradiation dose by 6.6%?±?3.2% and 8.8%?±?6.3%, respectively, which was not statistically different. For the 7?patients with the largest GTVs, IMRT-SIB was superior to IMRT and ART with dose escalation of 11.9%?±?3.7%. The combination of ART, IMRT, and SIB achieved maximum dose escalation in all 13?patients by 17.1%?±?5.4% on average, which increased TCP from 19.9%?±?7.0 to 37.1%?±?10.1%. Adaptive re-planning was required to continuously conform the escalated and hypofractionated SIB doses to the shrinking tumor. CONCLUSION: Combining advanced radiotherapy technologies is considered as a safe and effective strategy to maximize local tumor control probability in stage?III NSCLC.     

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。     

胃癌术后三维适形放疗及调强放疗靶区勾画研究进展

临床靶区的准确勾画是实施胃癌适形/调强放射治疗（3D-CRT/IMRT）的关键步骤。以往指南曾对胃癌术后2D放疗的照射范围进行了推荐,目前尚缺乏3D-CRT/IMRT时代胃癌术后放疗的靶区勾画共识。本文拟对胃癌术后放射治疗个体化临床靶区勾画的最新研究进展及争议进行介绍。胃癌术后3D-CRT/IMRT放疗靶区有待进一步优化。     

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 3D conformal,IMRT, and V-MAT techniques for accelerated partial-breast irradiation (APBI)

The purpose is to dosimetrically compare the following 3 delivery techniques: 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT), intensity-modulated arc therapy (IMRT), and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (V-MAT) in the treatment of accelerated partial-breast irradiation (APBI). Overall, 16 patients with T1/2N0 breast cancer were treated with 3D-CRT (multiple, noncoplanar photon fields) on the RTOG 0413 partial-breast trial. These cases were subsequently replanned using static gantry IMRT and V-MAT technology to understand dosimetric differences among these 3 techniques. Several dosimetric parameters were used in plan quality evaluation, including dose conformity index (CI) and dose-volume histogram analysis of normal tissue coverage. Quality assurance studies including gamma analysis were performed to compare the measured and calculated dose distributions. The IMRT and V-MAT plans gave more conformal target dose distributions than the 3D-CRT plans (p < 0.05 in CI). The volume of ipsilateral breast receiving 5 and 10 Gy was significantly less using the V-MAT technique than with either 3D-CRT or IMRT (p < 0.05). The maximum lung dose and the ipsilateral lung volume receiving 10 (V₁₀) or 20 Gy (V₂₀) were significantly less with both V-MAT and IMRT (p < 0.05). The IMRT technique was superior to 3D-CRT and V-MAT of low dose distributions in ipsilateral lung (p < 0.05 in V₅ and D₅). The total mean monitor units (MUs) for V-MAT (621.0 ± 111.9) were 12.2% less than those for 3D-CRT (707.3 ± 130.9) and 46.5% less than those for IMRT (1161.4 ± 315.6) (p < 0.05). The average machine delivery time was 1.5 ± 0.2 minutes for the V-MAT plans, 7.0 ± 1.6 minutes for the 3D-CRT plans, and 11.5 ± 1.9 minutes for the IMRT plans, demonstrating much less delivery time for V-MAT. Based on this preliminary study, V-MAT and IMRT techniques offer improved dose conformity as compared with 3D-CRT techniques without increasing dose to the ipsilateral lung. In terms of MU and delivery time, V-MAT is significantly more efficient for APBI than for conventional 3D-CRT and static-beam IMRT.     

Treatment planning and dosimetry of a multi-axis dynamic arc technique for prostate cancer: A comparison with IMRT

Purpose Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) allows greater dose conformity to the tumor target. However, IMRT, especially static delivery, usually requires more time to deliver a dose fraction than conventional external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). The authors have been using a “two-axis dynamic arc therapy” (2A-DAT) technique for prostate cancer treatment to make a concave dose distribution to spare the rectum and bladder while working with limited time and human resources. The objectives of this study were to (1) clinically implement the 2A-DAT technique, (2) evaluate the dosimetry in comparison with IMRT, and (3) analyze the initial treatment outcome. Materials and Methods The 2A-DAT consists of two dynamic arc therapies (DATs) with half rotation around two isocenters each in two separate symmetrical rhombi. Treatment planning is forward and on a trial-and-error basis. Thirty-four patients received 2A-DAT with a median prescribed dose of 70 Gy. Results Although inferior in dose uniformity, the 2A-DAT provided equivalent sparing of normal structures to IMRT. Daily fraction delivery time for the 34 patients ranged from 6.4 to 9.6 minutes, with an average of 7.4 minutes. Five-year survival and five-year prostate specific autigen (PSA) failure-free survival were 89.3% and 79.5%, respectively. Three patients developed grade 2 procitis. Conclusion This technique is a possible alternative to IMRT in EBRT of prostate cancer This research was partially supported by the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture, Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C) 2002, and was presented at the 4th Shinji Takahashi Memorial International Workshop on 3D-CRT.     

乳腺癌改良根治术后放疗降低患侧肺受量的剂量学研究

目的 探讨乳腺癌改良根治术后放疗(PMRT)3种照射技术靶区和患侧肺剂量分布的特点,评价其对降低患侧肺受量的作用。方法 对28例Ⅱ、Ⅲ期乳腺癌根治术后患者分别进行胸壁区2个切线适形野(半野)加锁骨上区调强放疗(3D-CRT+IMRT)、胸壁区加锁骨上区一体调强放疗(IMRT),以及胸壁区2个切线适形野(半野)加锁骨上区电子线单野放疗技术(3D-CRT+E)的计划设计,通过剂量体积直方图(DVH)评价靶区剂量以及患侧肺V₅、V₁₀、V₂₀及V45受照射体积,处方剂量为50.4 Gy(1.8 Gy × 28次)。结果 靶区适形指数(CI)3D-CRT+IMRT组(0.61±0.03)和IMRT组(0.62±0.03)之间差异无统计学意义(q=2.16, P>0.05),这两组CI均优于 3DCRT+E组[(0.44±0.02), q=20.50、 22.66,P<0.01];不均匀指数(HI) 3D-CRT+IMRT组 (1.17±0.02)和IMRT组(1.15±0.02)之间差异无统计学意义(q=1.66, P>0.05),这两组HI均优于 3DCRT+E 组[(1.24±0.04), q=3.91、5.58, P<0.01];患侧肺V₅ 、V₁₀,3D-CRT+E组(48.70%±3.24%, 38.56%±3.70%)、3D-CRT+IMRT组(49.12%±3.03%,38.38%±3.56%)明显少于IMRT组[(77.18%±8.01%, 53.07%±6.85%),q=20.35、20.05、12.10、12.24, P<0.01],3D-CRT+E、3D-CRT+IMRT两组之间差异无统计学意义(q=0.30、0.14, P＞0.05);患侧肺V₂₀,3D-CRT+IMRT组(26.57%±2.51%)、IMRT组(25.22%±2.77%)优于3D-CRT+E组[(31.79%±3.00%), q=5.27、8.21, P<0.01],3D-CRT+IMRT、IMRT两组之间差异无统计学意义(q=2.76, P＞0.05);V453种计划之间差异无统计学意义(F=0.69, P＞0.05)。结论 在PMRT中应用3D-CRT+IMRT照射技术在不增加设备投入的情况下能有效地降低患侧肺受照射剂量。     

Overview of image-guided radiation therapy.

Radiation therapy has gone through a series of revolutions in the last few decades and it is now possible to produce highly conformal radiation dose distribution by using techniques such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The improved dose conformity and steep dose gradients have necessitated enhanced patient localization and beam targeting techniques for radiotherapy treatments. Components affecting the reproducibility of target position during and between subsequent fractions of radiation therapy include the displacement of internal organs between fractions and internal organ motion within a fraction. Image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) uses advanced imaging technology to better define the tumor target and is the key to reducing and ultimately eliminating the uncertainties. The purpose of this article is to summarize recent advancements in IGRT and discussed various practical issues related to the implementation of the new imaging techniques available to radiation oncology community. We introduce various new IGRT concepts and approaches, and hope to provide the reader with a comprehensive understanding of the emerging clinical IGRT technologies. Some important research topics will also be addressed.