Dosimetry audit for a multi-centre IMRT head and neck trial

Background and purpose

PARSPORT was a multi-centre randomised trial in the UK which compared Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) and conventional radiotherapy (CRT) for patients with head and neck cancer. The dosimetry audit goals were to verify the plan delivery in participating centres, ascertain what tolerances were suitable for head and neck IMRT trials and develop an IMRT credentialing program.

Materials and methods

Centres enrolling patients underwent rigorous quality assurance before joining the trial. Following this each centre was visited for a dosimetry audit, which consisted of treatment planning system tests, fluence verification films, combined field films and dose point measurements.

Results

Mean dose point measurements were made at six centres. For the primary planning target volume (PTV) the differences with the planned values for the IMRT and CRT arms were −0.6% (1.8% to −2.4%) and 0.7% (2.0% to −0.9%), respectively. Ninety-four percent of the IMRT fluence films for individual fields passed gamma criterion of 3%/3 mm and 75% of the films for combined fields passed gamma criterion 4%/3 mm (no significant difference between dynamic delivery and step and shoot delivery).

Conclusions

This audit suggests that a 3% tolerance could be applied for PTV point doses. For dose distributions tolerances of 3%/3 mm on individual fields and 4%/3 mm for combined fields are proposed for multi-centre head and neck IMRT trials.     

An in vivo investigative protocol for HDR prostate brachytherapy using urethral and rectal thermoluminescence dosimetry

Purpose

To develop an in vivo dosimetry based investigative action level relevant for a corrective protocol for HDR brachytherapy boost treatment.

Methods and materials

The dose delivered to points within the urethra and rectum was measured using TLD in vivo dosimetry in 56 patients. Comparisons between the urethral and rectal measurements and TPS calculations showed differences, which are related to the relative position of the implant and TLD trains, and allowed shifts of implant position relative to the prostate to be estimated.

Results and conclusions

Analysis of rectal dose measurements is consistent with implant movement, which was previously only identified with the urethral data. Shift corrected doses were compared with results from the TPS. Comparison of peak doses to the urethra and rectum has been assessed against the proposed corrective protocol to limit overdosing these critical structures. An initial investigative level of 20% difference between measured and TPS peak dose was established, which corresponds to 1/3 of patients which was practical for the caseload. These patients were assessed resulting in corrective action being applied for one patient. Multiple triggering for selective investigative action is outlined. The use of a single in vivo measurement in the first fraction optimizes patient benefit at acceptable cost.     

A randomised controlled trial of forward-planned radiotherapy (IMRT) for early breast cancer: Baseline characteristics and dosimetry results

Background and purpose

This large trial was designed to investigate whether correction of dose inhomogeneities using intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) reduces late toxicity and improves quality of life in patients with early breast cancer. This paper reports baseline characteristics of trial participants and dosimetry results.

Materials and methods

Standard tangential plans of 1145 trials were analysed. Patients with inhomogeneous plans, defined by ICRU recommendations, were randomised to forward-planned IMRT or standard radiotherapy.

Results

Twenty-nine percentage of patients had adequate dosimetry with standard 2D radiotherapy. In the randomised patients, the decreases in mean volumes receiving greater than 107% (Vol > 107) and less than 95% (Vol < 95) of the prescribed dose in the IMRT compared with the control group were 34.0 cm³ (95% CI 26.4-41.6; P < 0.0001) and 48.1 cm³ (95% CI 34.4-61.9; P < 0.0001), respectively. In this study, 90% of patients who had a breast separation greater ?21 cm had Vol > 107 > 2 cm³ on standard radiotherapy plans.

Conclusion

This large trial, in which patients with all breast sizes were eligible, confirmed that breast dosimetry can be significantly improved with a simple method of forward-planned IMRT and has little impact on radiotherapy resources. It is shown that patients with larger breasts are more likely to have dose inhomogeneities and breast separation gives some indication of this likelihood. Photographic assessment of patients at 2 years after radiotherapy, as the next part of this randomised controlled trial, will show whether these results for IMRT translate into improved cosmetic outcome in patients with early breast cancer. This would provide impetus for the widespread adoption of 3D planning and IMRT.     

Dosimetry and field matching for radiotherapy to the breast and supraclavicular fossa

Purpose

Early breast cancer radiotherapy aims for local disease control and reduced recurrence. Treatment is directed to breast or chest wall alone using tangential fields, or includes regional lymph nodes with a separate anterior field. The complex geometry of this region necessitates matching adjacent radiation fields in three-dimensions. Potential exists for overdosage or underdosage and cosmetic results may be compromised if fields are not accurately aligned.

Methods and materials

A study of dosimetry across the match line region using different techniques, as reported in the multicentre START Trial Quality Assurance programme, was undertaken. A custom-made anthropomorphic phantom assessed dose distribution in three-dimensions using film dosimetry.

Results

Methods with varying degrees of complexity were employed for field matching. Techniques combined half beam blocking and machine rotations to achieve geometric alignment. Asymmetric beam matching allowed use of a single isocentre technique. Where field matching was not undertaken a gap between tangential and nodal fields was employed. Results demonstrated differences between techniques and variations for similar techniques in different centres. Geometric alignment techniques produced more homogenous dose distributions in the match region than gap techniques or those techniques not correcting for field divergence.

Conclusions

Field matching techniques during the START trial varied between centres. Film dosimetry used in conjunction with a breast-shaped phantom provided relative dose information. The study highlighted difficulties in matching treatment fields to achieve homogenous dose distribution through the region of the match plane and the degree of inhomogeneity as a consequence of a gap between treatment fields.     

Dose escalation with proton or photon radiation treatment for pancreatic cancer

Purpose

The purpose was to determine the optimal radiation therapy modality (three-dimensional conformal photon-radiation therapy [3DCRT], intensity-modulated photon-radiation therapy [IMRT], or passive-scattering proton therapy [PT]) for safe dose escalation (72 Gy) in pancreatic tumors in different positions relative to organs at risk (OAR) anatomy.

Methods and materials

A 3-cm pancreatic tumor was virtually translated every 5 mm over 5 cm laterally. We generated two plans for each of the three techniques (3DCRT, IMRT, and PT), one that adhered to target coverage objectives and another to meet OAR sparing constraints with best coverage. We evaluated distances between gross tumor volumes and isodoses and compared dose-volume histograms.

Results

IMRT was more conformal in higher gradient dose regions circumferentially, but tumor positions with anteriorly located small bowel benefited more from PT. 3DCRT plans resulted in inadequate target coverage. The V_15Gy (mean ± SD) were as follows for the IMRT and PT plans, respectively: stomach, 48% ± 4% vs 5% ± 3% (p < 0.0001); and small bowel, 61% ± 8% vs 9% ± 4% (p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Our study showed that the optimal radiation therapy modality for safe dose escalation depends on pancreatic tumor position in relation to OAR anatomy.     

Identifying afterloading PDR and HDR brachytherapy errors using real-time fiber-coupled Al2O3:C dosimetry and a novel statistical error decision criterion

Background and purpose

The feasibility of a real-time in vivo dosimeter to detect errors has previously been demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to: (1) quantify the sensitivity of the dosimeter to detect imposed treatment errors under well controlled and clinically relevant experimental conditions, and (2) test a new statistical error decision concept based on full uncertainty analysis.

Materials and methods

Phantom studies of two gynecological cancer PDR and one prostate cancer HDR patient treatment plans were performed using tandem ring applicators or interstitial needles. Imposed treatment errors, including interchanged pairs of afterloader guide tubes and 2-20 mm source displacements, were monitored using a real-time fiber-coupled carbon doped aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃:C) crystal dosimeter that was positioned in the reconstructed tumor region. The error detection capacity was evaluated at three dose levels: dwell position, source channel, and fraction. The error criterion incorporated the correlated source position uncertainties and other sources of uncertainty, and it was applied both for the specific phantom patient plans and for a general case (source-detector distance 5-90 mm and position uncertainty 1-4 mm).

Results

Out of 20 interchanged guide tube errors, time-resolved analysis identified 17 while fraction level analysis identified two. Channel and fraction level comparisons could leave 10 mm dosimeter displacement errors unidentified. Dwell position dose rate comparisons correctly identified displacements ?5 mm.

Conclusion

This phantom study demonstrates that Al₂O₃:C real-time dosimetry can identify applicator displacements ?5 mm and interchanged guide tube errors during PDR and HDR brachytherapy. The study demonstrates the shortcoming of a constant error criterion and the advantage of a statistical error criterion.     

Sparing the penile bulb in the radical irradiation of clinically localised prostate carcinoma: A comparison between MRI and CT prostatic apex definition in 3DCRT, Linac-IMRT and Helical Tomotherapy

Background and purpose

To assess the impact of using MRI and Helical Tomotherapy (HT) compared to 3DCRT and dynamic IMRT on the dose to the penile bulb (PB).

Materials and methods

Eight patients diagnosed with prostate cancer entered a treatment protocol including CT and MRI simulation. The prostate apex was defined on both MRI and CT. Treatment plans (HT, Linac-IMRT, 3DCRT and conventional technique), were elaborated on both MRI and CT images. A dose of 71.4 Gy (2.55 Gy/fraction) was prescribed; it was requested that PTVs be covered by 95% isodose line. The mean dose and V50 of PB were evaluated.

Results

PTV-MRI plans reduced PB mean dose and V50 compared to PTV-CT plans. This improvement, deriving also from the treatment modality, was 89% for 3DCRT, 99% for Linac-IMRT and 97% for HT (p < 0.01), considering V50. Conventional plans resulted in a significantly higher mean PB dose/V50 compared to 3DCRT-PTV-CT (+27%/+38%), Linac-IMRT-PTV-CT (+42%/+57%) and HT-PTV-CT (+32%/+48%) (p < 0.01). The comparison between conventional and PTV-MRI techniques showed a still larger increase: +73%/+93% 3DCRT; +86%/+99% Linac-IMRT; +56%/+99% HT (p < 0.01). The PB mean dose reduction with Linac-IMRT compared to 3DCRT was 24% (p = 0.034) and 40% (p = 0.027) for PTV-CT and PTV-MRI, respectively. This gain remained significant even when comparing Linac-IMRT to HT: 21% (p = 0.07) PTV-CT and 68% (p = 0.00002) PTV-MRI. HT was superior to 3DCRT with respect to PTV-CT (average gain 4%, p = 0.044), whereas it resulted to be detrimental considering PTV-MRI (26 Gy vs 16.5 Gy), possibly due to the helical delivery of HT; however, in a patient where the distance bulb-PTV <1 cm, HT provided better PB sparing than 3DCRT (29.5 Gy vs 45.2 Gy).

Conclusions

MRI allowed efficient sparing of PB irrespective of the treatment modality. Linac-IMRT was shown to further reduce the dose to the bulb compared to 3DCRT and HT.     

AAA and PBC calculation accuracy in the surface build-up region in tangential beam treatments. Phantom and breast case study with the Monte Carlo code penelope

Background and purpose

In tangential beam treatments accurate dose calculation of the absorbed dose in the build-up region is of major importance, in particular when the target has superficial extension close to the skin. In most analytical treatment planning systems (TPSs) calculations depend on the experimental measurements introduced by the user in which accuracy might be limited by the type of detector employed to perform them. To quantify the discrepancy between analytically calculated and delivered dose in the build-up region, near the skin of a patient, independent Monte Carlo (MC) simulations using the penelope code were performed. Dose distributions obtained with MC simulations were compared with those given by the Pencil Beam Convolution (PBC) algorithm and the Analytical Anisotropic Algorithm (AAA) implemented in the commercial TPS Eclipse.

Material and methods

A cylindrical phantom was used to approximate the breast contour of a patient for MC simulations and the TPS. Calculations of the absorbed doses were performed for 6 and 18 MV beams for four different angles of incidence: 15°, 30°, 45° and 75° and different field sizes: 3 × 3 cm², 10 × 10 cm² and 40 × 40 cm². Absorbed doses along the phantom central axis were obtained with both the PBC algorithm and the AAA and compared to those estimated by the MC simulations. Additionally, a breast patient case was calculated with two opposed 6 MV photon beams using all the aforementioned analytical and stochastic algorithms.

Results

For the 6 MV photon beam in the phantom case, both the PBC algorithm and the AAA tend to underestimate the absorbed dose in the build-up region in comparison to MC results. These differences are clinically irrelevant and are included in a 1 mm range. This tendency is also confirmed in the breast patient case. For the 18 MV beam the PBC algorithm underestimates the absorbed dose with respect to the AAA. In comparison to MC simulations the PBC algorithm tends to underestimate the dose after the first 2-3 mm of tissue for larger angles but seems to be in good agreement for smaller angles. In the first millimetre of depth instead the PBC tends to overestimate the dose for smaller angles and underestimate it for larger angle of incidence. Instead, the AAA overestimates absorbed doses with respect to MC results for all angles of incidence and at all depths. This behaviour seems to be due to the electron contamination model, which is not able to provide accurate absorbed doses in the build-up region. Even for this case the differences are unlikely to be of clinical significance as 18 MV is not usually used to treat superficial targets.

Conclusions

The PBC algorithm and the AAA implemented in the TPS Eclipse system version 8.0.05, both yield equivalent calculations, after the first 2 mm of tissue, of the absorbed dose for 6 MV photon beams when a grid size smaller than 5 mm is used. When 18 MV photon beams are used care should be taken because the results of the AAA are highly dependent on the beam configuration.     

Advanced kernel methods vs. Monte Carlo-based dose calculation for high energy photon beams

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare the dose calculation accuracy of advanced kernel-based methods and Monte Carlo algorithms in commercially available treatment planning systems.

Materials and methods

Following dose calculation algorithms and treatment planning (TPS) systems were compared: the collapsed cone (CC) convolution algorithm available in Oncentra Masterplan, the XVMC Monte Carlo algorithm implemented in iPlan and Monaco, and the analytical anisotropic algorithm (AAA) implemented in Eclipse. Measurements were performed with a calibrated ionization chamber and radiochromic EBT type films in a homogenous polystyrene phantom and in heterogeneous lung phantoms. Single beam tests, conformal treatment plans and IMRT plans were validated. Dosimetric evaluations included absolute dose measurements, 1D γ-evaluation of depth-dose curves and profiles using 2 mm and 2% dose difference criteria for single beam tests, and γ-evaluation of axial planes for composite treatment plans applying 3 mm and 3% dose difference criteria.

Results

Absolute dosimetry revealed no large differences between MC and advanced kernel dose calculations. 1D γ-evaluation showed significant discrepancies between depth-dose curves in different phantom geometries. For the CC algorithm γ_mean values were 0.90 ± 0.74 vs. 0.43 ± 0.41 in heterogeneous vs. homogeneous conditions and for the AAA γ_mean values were 1.13 ± 0.91 vs. 0.41 ± 0.28, respectively. In general, 1D γ results obtained with both MC TPS were similar in both phantoms and on average equal to 0.5 both for profiles and depth-dose curves. The results obtained with the CC algorithm in heterogeneous phantoms were slightly better in comparison to the AAA algorithm. The 2D γ-evaluation results of IMRT plans and four-field plans showed smaller mean γ-values for MC dose calculations compared to the advanced kernel algorithms (γ_mean for four-field plan and IMRT obtained with Monaco MC were 0.28 and 0.5, respectively, vs. 0.40 and 0.54 for the AAA).

Conclusion

All TPS investigated in this study demonstrated accurate dose calculation in homogenous and heterogeneous phantoms. Commercially available TPS with Monte Carlo option performed best in heterogeneous phantoms. However, the difference between the CC and the MC algorithms was found to be small.     

Limited benefit of inversely optimised intensity modulation in breast conserving radiotherapy with simultaneously integrated boost

Background and purpose

To examine whether in breast-conserving radiotherapy (RT) with simultaneously integrated boost (SIB), application of inversely planned intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT-SIB) instead of three-dimensional RT (3D-CRT-SIB) has benefits that justify the additional costs, and to evaluate whether a potential benefit of IMRT-SIB depends on specific patient characteristics.

Material and methods

3D-CRT-SIB and various IMRT-SIB treatment plans were constructed and optimised for 30 patients with early stage left-sided breast cancer. Coverage of planning target volumes (PTVs) and dose delivered to organs at risk (OARs) were determined for each plan. Overlap between heart and breast PTV (OHB), size of breast and boost PTVs and boost location were examined in their ability to identify patients that might benefit from IMRT-SIB.

Results

All plans had adequate PTV coverage. IMRT-SIB generally reduced dose levels delivered to heart, lungs, and normal breast tissue relative to 3D-CRT-SIB. However, IMRT-SIB benefit differed per patient. For many patients, comparable results were obtained with 3D-CRT-SIB, while patients with OHB > 1.4 cm and a relatively large boost PTV volume (>125 cm³) gained most from the use of IMRT-SIB.

Conclusions

In breast-conserving RT, results obtained with 3D-CRT-SIB and IMRT-SIB are generally comparable. Patient characteristics could be used to identify patients that are most likely to benefit from IMRT-SIB.     

Radiation therapy with unflattened photon beams: Dosimetric accuracy of advanced dose calculation algorithms

Purpose

To compare the dosimetric accuracy of advanced dose calculation algorithms for flattened (FF) and unflattened (FFF) photon beams.

Material and methods

We compared the enhanced collapsed cone (eCC) algorithm implemented in OncentraMasterplan and the XVMC (MC) code in Monaco. Test plans were created for 10 MV FF and FFF beams. Single beam tests were delivered to radiochromic films positioned within a solid water phantom and evaluated with 1D γ-index analysis. Conformal plans were verified with ion chambers in an anthropomorphic thorax phantom. IMRT plans were applied to the Delta4 system and evaluated with γ-criteria of 3% and 3 mm.

Results

1D γ-index evaluation revealed significantly lower (p < 0.05) average γ_mean-values of 0.46 ± 0.22 for MC calculated FFF profiles compared to average values of 0.53 ± 0.27 detected for FF beams. Respective values for eCC were 0.42 ± 0.27/0.38 ± 0.26 (FF/FFF). When considering off-axis profiles separately, we found significantly reduced average γ_mean-values for FFF and both algorithms (MC: 0.55 ± 24 vs. 0.45 ± 0.21, eCC: 0.41 ± 0.24 vs. 0.35 ± 0.22). No significant differences were detected on-axis. Absolute dosimetry in the anthropomorphic phantom revealed superior results for MC based dose calculation, with mean deviations of 0.8 ± 0.8/0.0 ± 1.0% compared to −0.1 ± 1.7/−0.5 ± 0.1.7% (FF/FFF) for the eCC algorithm. IMRT plans showed similar results for both linac modes.

Conclusions

The dose calculation accuracy for unflattened beams was found to be at least as high as for flattened beams. The slightly improved dose calculation accuracy observed for off-axis profiles for single FFF beams did not directly translate into better verification results for composite IMRT plans.     

Dosimetric characteristics of 6 and 10 MV unflattened photon beams

Purpose

To determine dosimetric properties of unflattened megavoltage photon beams.

Materials and methods

Dosimetric data including depth dose, profiles, output factors and phantom scatter factors from three different beam qualities provided by Elekta Precise linacs, operated with and without flattening filter were examined. Additional measurements of leaf transmission, leakage radiation and surface dose were performed. In flattening filter free (FFF) mode a 6-mm thick copper filter was placed into the beam to stabilize it.

Results

Depths of dose maxima for flattened and unflattened beams did not deviate by more than 2 mm and penumbral widths agreed within 1 mm. In FFF mode the collimator exchange effect was found to be on average 0.3% for rectangular fields. Between maximum and minimum field size head scatter factors of unflattened beams showed on average 40% and 56% less variation for 6 and 10 MV beams than conventional beams. Phantom scatter factors for FFF beams differed up to 4% from the published reference data. For field sizes smaller than 15 cm, surface doses relative to the dose at d_max increased for unflattened beams with maximum differences of 7% at 6 MV and 25% at 10 MV for a 5 × 5 cm² field. For a 30 × 30 cm² field, relative surface dose decreased by about 10% for FFF beams. Leaf transmission on the central axis was 0.3% and 0.4% lower for unflattened 6 and 10 MV beams, respectively. Leakage radiation was reduced by 52% for 6 MV and by 65% for 10 MV unflattened beams.

Conclusions

The results of the study were independently confirmed at two radiotherapy centres. Phantom scatter reference data need to be reconsidered for medical accelerators operated without a flattening filter.     

In vivo quality assurance of volumetric modulated arc therapy for ano-rectal cancer with thermoluminescent dosimetry and image-guidance

Objective

To assess in vivo dose distribution using cone-beam computed tomography scans (CBCTs) and thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) in patients with anal or rectal cancer treated with volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT).

Methods

Intracavitary (IC) in vivo dosimetry (IVD) was performed in 11 patients using adapted endorectal probes containing TLDs, with extra measurements at the perianal skin (PS) for anal margin tumors. Measured doses were compared to calculated ones obtained from image fusion of CBCT with CT treatments plans.

Results

A total of 55 IC and 6 PS measurements were analyzed. IC TLD median planned and measured doses were 1.81 Gy (range, 0.25–2.02 Gy) and 1.82 Gy (range, 0.19–2.12 Gy), respectively. In comparison to the planned doses all IC TLD dose measurements differed by a median dose of 0.02 Gy (range, −0.11/+0.19 Gy, p = 0.102) (median difference of 1.1%, range −6.1%/+10.6%). Overall, 95% of IC measurements were within ±7.7% of the expected percentage doses and only 1 value was above +10%. For PS measurements, only one was not within ±7.7% of expected values (i.e., −8.9%).

Conclusions

Image guidance using CBCT for IVD with TLDs is helpful to validate the delivered doses in patients treated with VMAT for ano-rectal tumors.     

A method to improve target dose homogeneity of craniospinal irradiation using dynamic split field IMRT

Purpose

Craniospinal irradiation (CSI) is technically very challenging and field edge matching is needed because of the mechanical limitations of standard linear accelerators. We assessed the feasibility of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in CSI to overcome the standard feathering and dose inhomogeneities associated with the standard feathering technique in the junction areas.

Materials and methods

The use of IMRT in CSI was studied with five patients CT scanned in the supine position. Isocentric treatment plans of three dimensional conventional radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and split field IMRT (sfIMRT) with dynamic intrafractional feathering were created with the same field setup and the resulted dose distributions were compared. The effect of treatment inaccuracy was simulated with an intentional shift of ±3 mm with both treatment plans. Dosimetric verification of the sfIMRT treatment plan was performed with radiographic films placed in a phantom.

Results

The sfIMRT treatment plans resulted in a better dose coverage and uniformity in the target volume. The ±3 mm shift had only a minor effect on the dose distribution of the sfIMRT treatment plan whereas with the 3D-CRT the shift resulted in an error of ±38% of the calculated dose in the spinal cord. The measured dose distribution of the sfIMRT treatment plan correlated well with the calculations.

Conclusions

Improved dose homogeneity in the target volume was achieved with the sfIMRT compared to the conventional 3D-CRT treatment plan. With the sfIMRT technique only a single treatment plan is required to deliver the total treatment dose and the resulting dose distribution is also less volatile for technical uncertainties of the treatment.     

Mathematical estimation and in vivo dose measurement for cone-beam computed tomography on prostate cancer patients

Background and purpose

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) increases the doses on normal tissues. Our study sought to develop a mathematical model that would provide an estimate of and verify in vivo rectal dose from CBCT in prostate cancer patients.

Materials and methods

Thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) and Rando phantoms were used to measure doses to the pelvic region. We used an endorectal balloon to measure rectal doses for 10 prostate cancer patients who underwent radiotherapy and for whom we were able to acquire CBCT images. A solid water phantom and TLDs were used to correlate the rectal doses with body thickness/widths. A mathematical method was established to simulate the dose to which the patient is exposed during CBCT for the determined body parameters. The estimated doses were compared with the measured doses to determine the effectiveness of the model.

Results

The average measured rectal dose from CBCT was 2.8 ± 0.3 cGy. The mathematical method was able to predict the rectal dose, with the limits of agreement of −0.03 ± 0.18 cGy. The average difference between predictions and measurements was −1.1 ± 3.6%.

Conclusion

Our mathematical model was effective in estimating the exposed dose from CBCT.