Treatment planning intercomparison for spinal chordomas using intensity-modulated photon radiation therapy (IMRT) and carbon ions

Spinal chordomas cannot be treated with an effective dose using conventional radiation therapy (RT) without exceeding the tolerance dose of the spinal cord while ensuring sufficient target coverage at the same time. In this study we investigate the potential physical advantages of combined photon intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and raster-scanned carbon ion RT over photon IMRT alone. For a representative patient we generated a carbon ion RT plan and a photon IMRT plan. Additionally, combined plans consisting of both carbon ions and photon IMRT were calculated using ratios of 20:40 GyE, 30:30 GyE and 40:20 GyE. The best target coverage was obtained using carbon ions alone. Using a combination of photon IMRT and carbon ions, the target coverage was better than with photon IMRT alone. Due to the applied dose constraints, the sparing of the spinal cord was comparable for all plans. Using carbon ions alone, the non-target tissue volume irradiated to at least 30 GyE/50.4 GyE was reduced by 72%/84% compared to photon IMRT alone. These advantages were evident even with combined techniques. The actually delivered dose distribution is expected to be more dependent on patient misalignment with carbon ions compared with photon IMRT. A combination of carbon ions and photon IMRT might be preferable in order to profit by the physical advantages of carbon ions while ensuring a safe treatment.     

The dosimetric effects of tissue heterogeneities in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) of the head and neck

The dosimetric effects of bone and air heterogeneities in head and neck IMRT treatments were quantified. An anthropomorphic RANDO phantom was CT-scanned with 16 thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) chips placed in and around the target volume. A standard IMRT plan generated with CORVUS was used to irradiate the phantom five times. On average, measured dose was 5.1% higher than calculated dose. Measurements were higher by 7.1% near the heterogeneities and by 2.6% in tissue. The dose difference between measurement and calculation was outside the 95% measurement confidence interval for six TLDs. Using CORVUS' heterogeneity correction algorithm, the average difference between measured and calculated doses decreased by 1.8% near the heterogeneities and by 0.7% in tissue. Furthermore, dose differences lying outside the 95% confidence interval were eliminated for five of the six TLDs. TLD doses recalculated by Pinnacle3's convolution/superposition algorithm were consistently higher than CORVUS doses, a trend that matched our measured results. These results indicate that the dosimetric effects of air cavities are larger than those of bone heterogeneities, thereby leading to a higher delivered dose compared to CORVUS calculations. More sophisticated algorithms such as convolution/superposition or Monte Carlo should be used for accurate tailoring of IMRT dose in head and neck tumours.     

Optimization of combined electron and photon beams for breast cancer

Recently, intensity-modulated radiation therapy and modulated electron radiotherapy have gathered a growing interest for the treatment of breast and head and neck tumours. In this work, we carried out a study to combine electron and photon beams to achieve differential dose distributions for multiple target volumes simultaneously. A Monte Carlo based treatment planning system was investigated, which consists of a set of software tools to perform accurate dose calculation, treatment optimization, leaf sequencing and plan analysis. We compared breast treatment plans generated using this home-grown optimization and dose calculation software for different treatment techniques. Five different planning techniques have been developed for this study based on a standard photon beam whole breast treatment and an electron beam tumour bed cone down. Technique 1 includes two 6 MV tangential wedged photon beams followed by an anterior boost electron field. Technique 2 includes two 6 MV tangential intensity-modulated photon beams and the same boost electron field. Technique 3 optimizes two intensity-modulated photon beams based on a boost electron field. Technique 4 optimizes two intensity-modulated photon beams and the weight of the boost electron field. Technique 5 combines two intensity-modulated photon beams with an intensity-modulated electron field. Our results show that technique 2 can reduce hot spots both in the breast and the tumour bed compared to technique 1 (dose inhomogeneity is reduced from 34% to 28% for the target). Techniques 3, 4 and 5 can deliver a more homogeneous dose distribution to the target (with dose inhomogeneities for the target of 22%, 20% and 9%, respectively). In many cases techniques 3, 4 and 5 can reduce the dose to the lung and heart. It is concluded that combined photon and electron beam therapy may be advantageous for treating breast cancer compared to conventional treatment techniques using tangential wedged photon beams followed by a boost electron field.     

A preliminary dosimetric characterization of chemical vapor deposition diamond detector prototypes in photon and electron radiotherapy beams

Three radiation detectors based on polycrystalline diamond films with different thickness and resistivity, obtained by microwave chemical vapor deposition, were tested to assess their suitability for relative dosimetry of photon and electron beams supplied by clinical linear accelerators. All samples showed a linear response as a function of the absorbed dose. The sensitivity per unit of detector sensitive volume spanned between 7 and 43 nC Gy(-1) mm(-3) with an applied electric field of 40 kV/cm. The dose rate dependence was evaluated following the Fowler theory and delta coefficient values between 0.95 and 1.00 were found for the three samples when polarized at 40 kV/cm. Percentage depth dose curves, output factors, and normalized dose profiles were determined for 6 and 10 MV photon beams and for 6 and 15 MeV electron beams. The results obtained with the diamond detectors were in good agreement with those obtained by reference detector measurements [all the data were within the experimental uncertainty of 1% (1sigma)].     

Monte Carlo and experimental investigations of multileaf collimated electron beams for modulated electron radiation therapy

Modulated electron radiation therapy (MERT) has been proposed as a means of delivering conformal dose to shallow tumors while sparing distal structures and surrounding tissues. Conventional systems for electron beam collimation are labor and time intensive in their construction and are therefore inadequate for use in the sequential delivery of multiple complex fields required by MERT. This study investigates two proposed methods of electron beam collimation: the use of existing photon multileaf collimators (MLC) in a helium atmosphere to reduce in-air electron scatter, and a MLC specifically designed for electron beam collimation. Monte Carlo simulations of a Varian Clinac 2100C were performed using the EGS4/BEAM system and dose calculations performed with the MCDOSE code. Dose penumbras from fields collimated by photon MLCs both with air and with helium at 6, 12, and 20 MeV at a range of SSDs from 70 to 90 cm were examined. Significant improvements were observed for the helium based system. Simulations were also performed on an electron specific MLC located at the level of the last scraper of a 25x25 cm2 applicator. A number of leaf materials, thicknesses, end shapes, and widths were simulated to determine optimal construction parameters. The results demonstrated that tungsten leaves 15 mm thick and 5 mm wide with unfocused ends would provide sufficient collimation for MERT fields. A prototype electron MLC was constructed and comparisons between film measurements and simulation demonstrate the validity of the Monte Carlo model. Further simulations of dose penumbras demonstrate that such an electron MLC would provide improvements over the helium filled photon MLC at all energies, and improvements in the 90-10 penumbra of 12% to 45% at 20 MeV and 6 MeV, respectively. These improvements were also seen in isodose curves when a complex field shape was simulated. It is thus concluded that an MLC specific for electron beam collimation is required for MERT.     

Temporal characterization and in vitro comparison of cell survival following the delivery of 3D-conformal, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)

A phantom was designed and implemented for the delivery of treatment plans to cells in vitro. Single beam, 3D-conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) plans, inverse planned five-field intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), nine-field IMRT, single-arc volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and dual-arc VMAT plans were created on a CT scan of the phantom to deliver 3 Gy to the cell layer and verified using a Farmer chamber, 2D ionization chamber array and gafchromic film. Each plan was delivered to a 2D ionization chamber array to assess the temporal characteristics of the plan including delivery time and 'cell's eye view' for the central ionization chamber. The effective fraction time, defined as the percentage of the fraction time where any dose is delivered to each point examined, was also assessed across 120 ionization chambers. Each plan was delivered to human prostate cancer DU-145 cells and normal primary AGO-1522b fibroblast cells. Uniform beams were delivered to each cell line with the delivery time varying from 0.5 to 20.54 min. Effective fraction time was found to increase with a decreasing number of beams or arcs. For a uniform beam delivery, AGO-1552b cells exhibited a statistically significant trend towards increased survival with increased delivery time. This trend was not repeated when the different modulated clinical delivery methods were used. Less sensitive DU-145 cells did not exhibit a significant trend towards increased survival with increased delivery time for either the uniform or clinical deliveries. These results confirm that dose rate effects are most prevalent in more radiosensitive cells. Cell survival data generated from uniform beam deliveries over a range of dose rates and delivery times may not always be accurate in predicting response to more complex delivery techniques, such as IMRT and VMAT.     

Combined modulated electron and photon beams planned by a Monte-Carlo-based optimization procedure for accelerated partial breast irradiation

The purpose of this study was to present a Monte-Carlo (MC)-based optimization procedure to improve conventional treatment plans for accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) using modulated electron beams alone or combined with modulated photon beams, to be delivered by a single collimation device, i.e. a photon multi-leaf collimator (xMLC) already installed in a standard hospital. Five left-sided breast cases were retrospectively planned using modulated photon and/or electron beams with an in-house treatment planning system (TPS), called CARMEN, and based on MC simulations. For comparison, the same cases were also planned by a PINNACLE TPS using conventional inverse intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Normal tissue complication probability for pericarditis, pneumonitis and breast fibrosis was calculated. CARMEN plans showed similar acceptable planning target volume (PTV) coverage as conventional IMRT plans with 90% of PTV volume covered by the prescribed dose (D(p)). Heart and ipsilateral lung receiving 5% D(p) and 15% D(p), respectively, was 3.2-3.6 times lower for CARMEN plans. Ipsilateral breast receiving 50% D(p) and 100% D(p) was an average of 1.4-1.7 times lower for CARMEN plans. Skin and whole body low-dose volume was also reduced. Modulated photon and/or electron beams planned by the CARMEN TPS improve APBI treatments by increasing normal tissue sparing maintaining the same PTV coverage achieved by other techniques. The use of the xMLC, already installed in the linac, to collimate photon and electron beams favors the clinical implementation of APBI with the highest efficiency.     

Comparison of beam characteristics in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and those under normal treatment condition

In the step-and-shoot delivery of an IMRT plan with a Siemens Primus accelerator, radiation is turned off by desynchronizing the injector while the field parameters are being changed. When the machine is ready again a trigger pulse is sent to the injector to start the beam instantaneously. The objective of this study is to investigate the beam characteristics of the machine operating in the IMRT mode and to study the effect of the Initial Pulse Forming Network (IPEN) on the dark current. The central axis (CAX) output for a 10 x 10 cm2 field over the range 1-100 MU was measured with an ion chamber in a polystyrene phantom for both 6 and 15 MV x rays. Beam profiles were also measured over the range of 2-40 MU with the machine operating in the IMRT mode and compared with those in the normal mode. By adjusting the IPFN value, dark current radiation (DCR) was measured using ion chamber measurements. For both the normal and IMRT modes, dose versus MU is nonlinear in the range 1-5 MUs. Above 5 MU, dose varies linearly with MU for both 6 and 15 MV x rays. For stability of dose profiles, the 2 MU-IM group exhibit 20% variation from one subfield to another. The variation is about 5% for the 8 MU-IM group and <5% for 10 MU and higher. The results are similar in the normal treatment mode. With the IPFN at >80% of the PFN value, a spurious radiation associated with dark current at approximately 0.7% of the dose at isocenter for a 10 x 10 cm2 field is detected during the "PAUSE" state of the accelerator for 15 MV x rays. When the IPFN is lowered to <80% of the PFN value, no DCR is detected. For 6 MV x rays, no measurable DCR was detected regardless of the IPFN setting.     

野中野调强放疗在左乳腺癌改良根治术后胸壁放疗的剂量学研究

目的:研究采用野中野调强放疗（FIF-IMRT）进行左乳腺癌改良根治术后胸壁放疗的剂量学特点。方法:回顾性分析 2014年9月至2019年8月以来行左乳腺癌改良根治术后予胸壁及锁骨区放疗的77例患者资料。患者均接受胸壁及锁骨区 行整体化IMRT，胸壁行FIF-IMRT及锁骨区行IMRT这两种治疗方案，采集并比较靶区相关剂量参数、适形度指数、均匀性 指数，肺、心脏及右侧乳腺的剂量体积参数的差异。结果:两种治疗方案均达到放疗计划剂量学要求。两种治疗方案的靶区 均匀性指数和适形度指数、PTV-Dmax、PTV-Dmean、PTV-V105%，左肺V5、V10、V20、V30、Dmean，右肺V30，全肺V30以及心脏Dmean相比 较，均无统计学意义（P>0.05），而PTV-Dmin、PTV-V95%、PTV-V110%、右肺Dmean、V5、V10、V20，全肺Dmean、V5、V20，心脏V5、V30、V40， 右侧乳腺Dmean相比较，均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论:乳腺癌根治术后胸壁采取FIF-IMRT结合锁骨区IMRT的治疗方案 在降低正常组织的剂量照射和受照体积方面优势明显。     

An experimental feasibility study on the use of scattering foil free beams for modulated electron radiotherapy

The potential benefit of using scattering foil free beams for delivery of modulated electron radiotherapy is investigated in this work. Removal of the scattering foil from the beamline showed a measured bremsstrahlung tail dose reduction just beyond R(p) by a factor of 12.2, 6.9, 7.4, 7.4 and 8.3 for 6, 9, 12, 16 and 20 MeV beams respectively for 2 × 2 cm(2) fields defined on-axis when compared to the clinical beamline. Monte Carlo simulations were matched to measured data through careful tuning of source parameters and the modification of certain accelerator components beyond the manufacturer's specifications. An accelerator model based on the clinical beamline and one with the scattering foil removed were imported into a Monte Carlo-based treatment planning system (McGill Monte Carlo Treatment Planning). A treatment planning study was conducted on a test phantom consisting of a PTV and two distal organs at risk (OAR) by comparing a plan using the clinical beamline to a plan using a scattering foil free beamline. A DVH comparison revealed that for quasi-identical target coverage, the volume of each OAR receiving a given dose was reduced, thus reducing the dose deposited in healthy tissue.     

术前宫颈癌容积旋转调强与固定野动态调强技术剂量对比

目的:比较容积旋转调强（VMAT）和固定野动态调强放疗（DIMRT）技术在术前宫颈癌放疗中的剂量学差别。 方法:选取10例接受放疗的术前宫颈癌患者,勾画靶区,用Eclipse 11.0计划系统设计双弧VMAT计划和5野DIMRT计划,比较两者靶区的适形度指数（CI）和均匀性指数（HI）、危及器官的剂量学差别、加速器跳数和照射时间。 结果:双弧VMAT计划与5野DIMRT计划的CI（0.78±0.05,0.84±0.03; P>0.05）和HI（0.05±0.00, 0.05±0.00; P>0.05）统计学无显著性差异,膀胱的V40、V45、V50和小肠的V20、股骨头、骨盆剂量有显著性差异之外,其它指标未有显著性差异。 结论:VMAT和DIMRT技术两者均能很好达到临床剂量学的要求,但在保护正常器官方面,VMAT比DIMRT技术更优或相当,VMAT技术在减少加速器跳数和照射时间方面优势明显。     

非小细胞肺癌容积旋转调强与适形调强放疗的剂量学比较

目的:比较容积旋转调强放疗（VMAT）和适形调强放疗（IMRT）技术在非小细胞肺癌靶区和危及器官（OAR）的剂量学差异。 方法:选取首程接受放射治疗的20例非小细胞肺癌患者,分别设计5野IMRT（5F-IMRT）、7野IMRT（7F-IMRT）、双弧VMAT（D-VMAT）和部分弧VMAT（P-VMAT）计划,比较靶区剂量分布、OAR剂量体积参数。 结果:4种计划中计划靶区的Dmean比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）;两种VMAT计划中计划靶区的均匀性指数和适形度指数均优于两种IMRT（P<0.05）;4种计划中D-VMAT肺平均剂量高于其余3种计划（P<0.05）;P-VMAT的双肺V5、V10稍好于D-VMAT（P<0.05）,但两种VMAT计划均高于两种IMRT计划（P<0.05）;4种计划中P-VMAT的双肺V20最优,且4种计划相互间比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;D-VMAT与P-VMAT双肺的V30相当（P>0.05）,但均优于两种IMRT计划（P<0.05）;4种计划双肺V40和心脏的V30、V40比较差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。P-VMAT计划的脊髓Dmax最低,与其余计划相比差异均有统计学意义（P<0.05）。 结论:非小细胞肺癌靶区剂量分布D-VMAT和P-VMAT好于IMRT计划。P-VMAT在OAR的保护方面体现的优势更多。综合考虑,非小细胞肺癌的放疗优先推荐P-VMAT,但对于重点考虑肺低剂量区,而次要考虑靶区剂量分布的病例推荐7F-IMRT。     

The radiobiological effect of intra-fraction dose-rate modulation in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) achieves optimal dose conformity to the tumor through the use of spatially and temporally modulated radiation fields. In particular, average dose rate and instantaneous dose rate (pulse amplitude) are highly variable within a single IMRT fraction. In this study we isolate these variables and determine their impact on cell survival. Survival was assessed using a clonogenic assay. Two cell lines of differing radiosensitivity were examined: melanoma (MM576) and non-small cell lung cancer (NCI-H460). The survival fraction was observed to be independent of instantaneous dose rate. A statistically significant trend to increased survival was observed as the average dose rate was decreased, for a constant total dose. The results are relevant to IMRT practice, where average treatment times can be significantly extended to allow for movement of the multi-leaf collimator (MLC). Our in vitro study adds to the pool of theoretical evidence for the consequences of protracted treatments. We find that extended delivery times can substantially increase the cell survival. This also suggests that regional variation in the dose-rate history across a tumor, which is inherent to IMRT, will affect radiation dose efficacy.     

不同优化方法在乳腺癌大分割放疗中的剂量学研究

目的:探讨物理函数优化与生物函数优化在乳腺癌大分割放疗计划中的剂量学差异。方法:选择已接受放疗的15例左侧乳腺癌病例,分别对每个病例使用物理函数（DV组）、生物函数-物理函数相结合（DV+EUD组、EUD+DV组）及生物函数（EUD组）优化方法重新进行容积旋转调强放疗计划设计。通过计算与分析各项剂量学参数来评估4组优化方法在乳腺癌大分割放疗中的剂量学差异。结果:含生物函数的优化结果与仅含物理函数的优化结果比较具有统计学差异（P<0.05）。EUD组与EUD+DV组的靶区剂量学结果接近,且靶区EUD与肿瘤控制率明显高于DV组与DV+EUD组。另外,EUD组的患侧肺剂量明显低于其余3组,与DV组和DV+EUD组相比,机器跳数也降低了约16%。结论:生物函数在提高靶区EUD与肿瘤控制率以及保护患侧肺组织方面都具有明显优势,并可提高治疗实施效率。可以使用生物函数优化方法进行乳腺癌计划的优化。     

非共面容积旋转调强技术在左侧乳腺癌保乳术后全乳加锁骨区放疗中的剂量学研究

目的:分析非共面容积旋转调强（nVMAT）技术与容积旋转调强（VMAT）技术在左侧乳腺癌保乳术后全乳加锁骨区放疗中的剂量学差异。方法:选取10例临床上接受VMAT的左侧乳腺癌保乳术后患者，采用nVMAT技术重新计划，比较靶区剂量学参数，危及器官心脏、全肺、对侧乳腺的Dmean，脊髓、冠状动脉Dmax，心脏V20、V30，左肺V5、V20以及气管V30、V40。结果:nVMAT计划在临床靶区（P-CTV）均匀性、心脏Dmean、全肺Dmean、对侧乳腺Dmean、冠状动脉Dmax方面优于VMAT计划，差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）；靶区（P-CTV、P-GTV）适形度及心脏V30，左肺V20，气管V30、V40方面略优，但无统计学差异（P>0.05）；机器跳数明显增加（P<0.05）；脊髓Dmax略有增加，但差异不显著（P>0.05）。结论:nVMAT技术可使靶区剂量更均匀，并改善危及器官的剂量，其中心脏Dmean及冠状动脉Dmax显著降低。     

Bone and mucosal dosimetry in skin radiation therapy: a Monte Carlo study using kilovoltage photon and megavoltage electron beams

This study examines variations of bone and mucosal doses with variable soft tissue and bone thicknesses, mimicking the oral or nasal cavity in skin radiation therapy. Monte Carlo simulations (EGSnrc-based codes) using the clinical kilovoltage (kVp) photon and megavoltage (MeV) electron beams, and the pencil-beam algorithm (Pinnacle(3)?treatment planning system) using the MeV electron beams were performed in dose calculations. Phase-space files for the 105 and 220 kVp beams (Gulmay D3225 x-ray machine), and the 4 and 6?MeV electron beams (Varian 21 EX linear accelerator) with a field size of 5?cm diameter were generated using the BEAMnrc code, and verified using measurements. Inhomogeneous phantoms containing uniform water, bone and air layers were irradiated by the kVp photon and MeV electron beams. Relative depth, bone and mucosal doses were calculated for the uniform water and bone layers which were varied in thickness in the ranges of 0.5-2?cm and 0.2-1?cm. A uniform water layer of bolus with thickness equal to the depth of maximum dose (d(max)) of the electron beams (0.7?cm for 4 MeV and 1.5?cm for 6 MeV) was added on top of the phantom to ensure that the maximum dose was at the phantom surface. From our Monte Carlo results, the 4 and 6 MeV electron beams were found to produce insignificant bone and mucosal dose (<1%), when the uniform water layer at the phantom surface was thicker than 1.5?cm. When considering the 0.5?cm thin uniform water and bone layers, the 4 MeV electron beam deposited less bone and mucosal dose than the 6 MeV beam. Moreover, it was found that the 105 kVp beam produced more than twice the dose to bone than the 220 kVp beam when the uniform water thickness at the phantom surface was small (0.5?cm). However, the difference in bone dose enhancement between the 105 and 220 kVp beams became smaller when the thicknesses of the uniform water and bone layers in the phantom increased. Dose in the second bone layer interfacing with air was found to be higher for the 220 kVp beam than that of the 105 kVp beam, when the bone thickness was 1?cm. In this study, dose deviations of bone and mucosal layers of 18% and 17% were found between our results from Monte Carlo simulation and the pencil-beam algorithm, which overestimated the doses. Relative depth, bone and mucosal doses were studied by varying the beam nature, beam energy and thicknesses of the bone and uniform water using an inhomogeneous phantom to model the oral or nasal cavity. While the dose distribution in the pharynx region is unavailable due to the lack of a commercial treatment planning system commissioned for kVp beam planning in skin radiation therapy, our study provided an essential insight into the radiation staff to justify and estimate bone and mucosal dose.     

乳腺癌螺旋断层放射治疗与调强放射治疗的剂量学研究与临床剂量实测比较

目的:利用螺旋断层放射治疗技术与传统医用直线加速器对乳腺癌放疗中重要正常组织与靶区剂量-体积参数进行剂量学比较。同时,在剂量学研究基础上进行临床实际吸收剂量测量验证各种技术间临床应用的优势与劣势。 方法:选取10例T1N0M0期乳腺癌保乳术后行乳腺靶区放射治疗病人（无锁骨上照射区域）,处方剂量为50 Gy/25次,利用螺旋断层放射治疗定角调强技术、螺旋断层放疗技术与医用直线加速器调强技术,比较乳腺癌靶区剂量和正常组织剂量的优劣。评估靶区剂量与适形度指数（CI）、均匀性指数（HI）和正常组织剂量-体积参数,进行剂量学比较。同时,利用热释光剂量仪在乳腺癌病人表皮进行实测剂量,比较3种技术处理由于病人呼吸运动对表面剂量的影响,及评估时间因素对治疗效率的影响。 结果:10例乳腺癌病人采用定角调强技术、螺旋断层放疗技术与医用直线加速器调强技术PTV HI分别为0.15±0.01、0.06±0.01和0.20±0.15（P<0.001）;CI分别为0.76±0.00、0.81±0.03和0.74±0.04（P>0.05）;心脏平均剂量分别为4.12±0.87、3.82±0.53、6.33±2.49 Gy（P<0.001）,左前降支最大剂量分别为20.38±5.66、13.34±3.78、34.56±4.12 Gy（P<0.001）,患侧肺组织平均剂量分别为6.78±1.33、7.22±2.34、12.76±2.10 Gy（P<0.001）。患者6个实测剂量点的吸收剂量3种技术比较有统计学意义（P<0.001）。 结论:从综合靶区覆盖、正常组织剂量-体积参数、剂量实测与治疗效率等方面比较,螺旋断层放射治疗的定角调强技术相对于其他两种技术而言有低剂量范围小、靶区覆盖佳、解决治疗中呼吸运动影响等优势,推荐使用该技术用于乳腺癌病人放射治疗。     

Multiobjective evolutionary optimization of the number of beams, their orientations and weights for intensity-modulated radiation therapy

We propose a hybrid multiobjective (MO) evolutionary optimization algorithm (MOEA) for intensity-modulated radiotherapy inverse planning and apply it to optimize the number of incident beams, their orientations and intensity profiles. The algorithm produces a set of efficient solutions, which represent different clinical trade-offs and contains information such as variety of dose distributions and dose-volume histograms. No importance factors are required and solutions can be obtained in regions not accessible by conventional weighted sum approaches. The application of the algorithm using a test case, a prostate and a head and neck tumour case is shown. The results are compared with MO inverse planning using a gradient-based optimization algorithm.     

Influence of initial electron beam parameters on Monte Carlo calculated absorbed dose distributions for radiotherapy photon beams

Our aim in the present study was to investigate the effects of initial electron beam characteristics on Monte Carlo calculated absorbed dose distribution for a linac 6 MV photon beam. Moreover, the range of values of these parameters was derived, so that the resulted differences between measured and calculated doses were less than 1%. Mean energy, radial intensity distribution and energy spread of the initial electron beam, were studied. The method is based on absorbed dose comparisons of measured and calculated depth-dose and dose-profile curves. All comparisons were performed at 10.0 cm depth, in the umbral region for dose-profile and for depths past maximum for depth-dose curves. Depth-dose and dose-profile curves were considerably affected by the mean energy of electron beam, with dose profiles to be more sensitive on that parameter. The depth-dose curves were unaffected by the radial intensity of electron beam. In contrast, dose-profile curves were affected by the radial intensity of initial electron beam for a large field size. No influence was observed in dose-profile or depth-dose curves with respect to energy spread variations of electron beam. Conclusively, simulating the radiation source of a photon beam, two of the examined parameters (mean energy and radial intensity) of the electron beam should be tuned accurately, so that the resulting absorbed doses are within acceptable precision. The suggested method of evaluating these crucial but often poorly specified parameters may be of value in the Monte Carlo simulation of linear accelerator photon beams.