三维适形、逆向调强和旋转调强放疗技术治疗胸段食管癌的剂量学比较

目的 比较胸段食管癌3种放疗技术( 3D-CRT、IMRT、RapidArc)的剂量学特点,并分析3种技术的优劣及应用特点.方法 15例胸段食管癌患者入组,依据CT图像,勾画靶区,针对患者的同一套CT图像的相同靶区分别制定3D-CRT、5野IMRT(IMRT5)、7野IMRT( IMRT7)、9野IMRT(IMRT9)、单弧Arc( Arc1)、双弧Arc( Arc2)共6套计划.PTV处方剂量为40 Gy分20次4周+19.6 Gy分14次7d.结果 3D-CRT计划各项靶区剂量学参数明显差于IMRT计划及RapidArc计划(t=5.77、3.52,P＜0.05),6套计划的PTV V95(％)分别为:3D-CRT (91.55 ±2.90),IMRT5(96.66±1.05),IMRT7 (96.87±1.23),IMRT (96.81±1.16),Arcl (94.98±1.41),Arc2 (95.93±1.32).RapidArc计划的靶区适形度(CI)最好(t=3.76,10.01,P＜0.05),IMRT计划的靶区均匀性(HI)最好(t =3.93、3.37,P＜0.05).危及器官参数RapidArc与IMRT各计划之间差异无统计学意义.3D-CRT和RapidArc计划的机器跳数明显少于IMRT计划,差异高达75％.结论 对于胸段食管癌患者,采用IMRT或RapidArc技术可以在保护正常组织的同时,涵盖临床必需的治疗靶区.3D-CRT计划对降低正常组织低剂量散射区方面优势明显.RapidArc计划靶区剂量学参数与IMRT计划比较未见明显优势.     

乳腺癌保乳术后部分乳腺三种放疗计划的剂量学比较

目的 比较容积弧形调强（VMAT）、固定野动态调强（IMRT）及三维适形放疗（3D-CRT）技术对乳腺癌保乳术后采用部分乳腺放疗的剂量学差异。方法 选取20例临床分期为T_1-2N₀M₀的早期乳腺癌保乳术后患者进行VMAT,并同时设计IMRT及3D-CRT,比较3种计划的剂量学参数,包括剂量-体积直方图（DVH）、靶区剂量适形度、靶区及危及器官的剂量、机器跳数及治疗时间。结果 IMRT及VMAT计划靶区剂量分布优于3D-CRT计划,其中最大剂量,平均剂量及适形指数（CI）组间比较差异具有统计学意义（F=14.86、8.57、18.23,P<0.05）。正常组织受量：VMAT计划在患侧乳腺V₅上优于IMRT及3D-CRT计划（F=5.83,P<0.05）;IMRT在患侧肺V₂₀、V₅及D₅上有优势（F=16.39、3.62、4.81,P<0.05）;在对侧肺的统计中,IMRT计划在最大剂量及D₅上可以得到比VMAT和3D-CRT更低的剂量（F=3.99、3.43,P<0.05）;VMAT、3D-CRT和IMRT计划所需机器跳数值分别为621.0±111.9、707.3±130.9、1161.4±315.6,计划间的差异有统计学意义（F=31.30,P<0.05）。VMAT、3D-CRT和IMRT计划所需治疗时间分别为（1.5±0.2）、（7.0±1.6）、（11.5±1.9）min。结论 IMRT和VMAT计划靶区剂量分布优于3D-CRT计划,而不提高患侧肺剂量。对于部分乳腺癌的放疗,容积弧形调强放疗在降低机器跳数和减少治疗时间方面具有明显优势。     

Pelvic Ewing sarcomas

Purpose

The goal of the present work was to assess the potential advantage of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) over three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) planning in pelvic Ewing’s sarcoma.

Patients and methods

A total of 8 patients with Ewing sarcoma of the pelvis undergoing radiotherapy were analyzed. Plans for 3D-CRT and IMRT were calculated for each patient. Dose coverage of the planning target volume (PTV), conformity and homogeneity indices, as well as further parameters were evaluated.

Results

The average dose coverage values for PTV were comparable in 3D-CRT and IMRT plans. Both techniques had a PTV coverage of V₉₅ >?98?% in all patients. Whereas the IMRT plans achieved a higher conformity index compared to the 3D-CRT plans (conformity index 0.79?±?0.12 vs. 0.54?±?0.19, p?=?0.012), the dose distribution across the target volumes was less homogeneous with IMRT planning than with 3D-CRT planning. This difference was statistically significant (homogeneity index 0.11?±?0.03 vs. 0.07?±?0.0, p?=?0.035). For the bowel, D_mean and D_1%, as well as V₂ to V₆₀ were reduced in IMRT plans. For the bladder and the rectum, there was no significant difference in D_mean. However, the percentages of volumes receiving at least doses of 30, 40, 45, and 50 Gy (V₃₀ to V₅₀) were lower for the rectum in IMRT plans. The volume of normal tissue receiving at least 2 Gy (V₂) was significantly higher in IMRT plans compared with 3D-CRT, whereas at high dose levels (V₃₀) it was significantly lower.

Conclusion

Compared to 3D-CRT, IMRT showed significantly better results regarding dose conformity (p?=?0.012) and bowel sparing at dose levels above 30 Gy (p?=?0.012). Thus, dose escalation in the radiotherapy of pelvic Ewing’s sarcoma can be more easily achieved using IMRT.     

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

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

Single-arc volumetric-modulated arc therapy (sVMAT) as adjuvant treatment for gastric cancer: Dosimetric comparisons with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)

To compare the dosimetric differences between the single-arc volumetric-modulated arc therapy (sVMAT), 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT), and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) techniques in treatment planning for gastric cancer as adjuvant radiotherapy. Twelve patients were retrospectively analyzed. In each patient's case, the parameters were compared based on the dose-volume histogram (DVH) of the sVMAT, 3D-CRT, and IMRT plans, respectively. Three techniques showed similar target dose coverage. The maximum and mean doses of the target were significantly higher in the sVMAT plans than that in 3D-CRT plans and in the 3D-CRT/IMRT plans, respectively, but these differences were clinically acceptable. The IMRT and sVMAT plans successfully achieved better target dose conformity, reduced the V_20/30, and mean dose of the left kidney, as well as the V_20/30 of the liver, compared with the 3D-CRT plans. And the sVMAT technique reduced the V₂₀ of the liver much significantly. Although the maximum dose of the spinal cord were much higher in the IMRT and sVMAT plans, respectively (mean 36.4 vs 39.5 and 40.6 Gy), these data were still under the constraints. Not much difference was found in the analysis of the parameters of the right kidney, intestine, and heart. The IMRT and sVMAT plans achieved similar dose distribution to the target, but superior to the 3D-CRT plans, in adjuvant radiotherapy for gastric cancer. The sVMAT technique improved the dose sparings of the left kidney and liver, compared with the 3D-CRT technique, but showed few dosimetric advantages over the IMRT technique. Studies are warranted to evaluate the clinical benefits of the VMAT treatment for patients with gastric cancer after surgery in the future.     

三维适形、逆向调强及旋转调强放疗技术对部分乳腺外照射的剂量学比较

目的 比较三维适形(3 D-CRT)、逆向调强(IMRT)及旋转调强(V-MAT)3种部分乳腺外照射(EB-PBI)治疗计划的剂量学差异.方法 选择定位影像资料完整的12例保乳术后行EB-PBI患者,每例患者分别设计3D-CRT、IMRT、V-MAT 3种治疗计划,比较3种计划的靶区剂量分布、危及器官受照剂量及所需机器跳数(MU)和治疗时间.结果 3D-CRT计划的靶区适形度最差,V-MAT计划的处方剂量靶区覆盖率及靶区剂量均匀性最差.3D-CRT计划中患侧肺V5、V10和平均剂量低,而患侧肺V30高;计划间患侧肺V20差异无统计学意义;V-MAT计划中15、20和25 Gy剂量包绕的同侧正常乳腺体积少;对于心脏V5、平均剂量及最大剂量、对侧肺平均剂量、甲状腺平均和最大剂量,IMRT＞ V-MAT＞ 3D-CRT,计划间两两比较差异均有统计学意义(z=-2.94 ～ -2.09,P＜0.05).3D-CRT、IMRT和V-MAT计划所需MU值分别为417.6 ±34.4、772.8±54.4和631.0±109.0,计划间两两比较差异均有统计学意义(z=-2.93、-2.76、-2.93,P＜0.05);V-MAT计划施照时间短.结论 对于部分乳腺癌的放射治疗,旋转调强计划在降低患侧靶区外正常乳腺组织受照射剂量和减少治疗时间方面优势比较明显.     

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

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

左侧乳腺癌患者根治术后常规调强计划与电子束适形联合调强计划的剂量比较

目的比较左侧乳腺癌患者根治术后常规调强放射治疗计划(intensity modulated radiotherapy, IMRT)与电子束适形放疗(electron beam conformal radiotherapy, EBCRT)联合调强放疗计划的剂量学差异。方法选择2018年6月至2021年10月于宁波市第一医院放化疗中心收治的20例左侧乳腺癌根治术后患者资料, 计划靶区(plan target volume, PTV)包括锁骨上下淋巴结引流区域计划靶区(PTVsc)和患侧胸壁计划靶区(PTVcw), 处方剂量均为50 Gy/25次。所有患者均采用美国Varian Eclipse治疗计划系统(treatment planning system, TPS)设计两种放疗计划, 然后对比两种放疗计划的剂量学参数差异。结果所有20例患者的IMRT计划全部满足临床要求, 与此同时EBCRT联合IMRT计划中有2例患者因患侧肺剂量参数超出本单位的剂量限定标准而不被临床接受, 两例失败计划的胸壁最大深度分别为3.7和4.4 cm, 使用的电子束能量分别为12和15 MeV。其余18例患者的胸...     

CT图像重建视野大小对放射治疗计划剂量计算及体积评估的影响

目的 探讨CT图像重建视野(FOV)大小对放射治疗计划剂量计算及体积评估可能存在的影响。方法 对16例鼻咽癌患者的CT原始扫描数据分别行45 cm常规FOV和65 cm扩展视野(EFOV)重建并传输至放射治疗计划系统,所有病例均在常规FOV重建的CT图像上勾画肿瘤体积(GTV)、临床靶区(CTV)及脑干、晶体、腮腺、脊髓等危及器官,并制定7野等角动态调强放射治疗计划(GTV处方剂量70 Gy)。两种重建方法图像按照医学数字影像通信3.0标准(DICOM 3.0)坐标方式融合后,拷贝常规FOV图像上的靶区及危及器官至EFOV图像,并将治疗计划移植至EFOV图像,治疗计划中心为两种重建方法图像的同一DICOM坐标,利用剂量体积直方图(DVH)工具计算两种重建方法图像上GTV、CTV和脑干、晶体、腮腺、脊髓的体积、最大剂量(D_max)、平均剂量(D_mean)及最小剂量(D_min)。将入组病例的每个治疗计划7野分别导入常规45 cm FOV和65 cm EFOV重建的二维通量图验证设备Mapchek 1175的模体,距离通过协议(DTA)分析5 cm深度平面绝对剂量的计算和实测结果通过率。结果 两种重建方法图像上的靶区和危及器官的体积差异具有统计学意义,所有入组病例靶区和危及器官在常规FOV图像上的体积均大于EFOV图像上的体积。较小体积的晶体最大剂量D_max常规FOV与EFOV图像之间差异有统计学意义(t =-3.14, P<0.007),其余靶区及危及器官的最大剂量D_max差异无统计学意义。CTV和GTV平均剂量D_mean在EFOV图像上大于FOV图像,差异有统计学意义(t=-6.45、-5.65, P< 0.001),危及器官的平均剂量D_mean和靶区及危及器官最小剂量D_min差异均无统计学意义。两种重建方法图像上治疗计划的7野通过率之间差异无统计学意义。结论 在放射治疗CT模拟定位过程中图像重建FOV的大小对于靶区及部分危及器官的体积及剂量计算结果和治疗计划的评价存在影响;观察和验证二维通量图通过率,两者之间的差异并不显著。     

Dosimetric Comparison Between Intensity-Modulated with Coplanar Field and 3D Conformal Radiotherapy with Noncoplanar Field for Postocular Invasion Tumor

This study presents a dosimetric optimization effort aiming to compare noncoplanar field (NCF) on 3 dimensions conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and coplanar field (CF) on intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) planning for postocular invasion tumor. We performed a planning study on the computed tomography data of 8 consecutive patients with localized postocular invasion tumor. Four fields NCF 3D-CRT in the transverse plane with gantry angles of 0–10°, 30–45°, 240–270°, and 310–335° degrees were isocentered at the center of gravity of the target volume. The geometry of the beams was determined by beam's eye view. The same constraints were prepared with between CF IMRT optimization and NCF 3D-CRT treatment. The maximum point doses (D max) for the different optic pathway structures (OPS) with NCF 3D-CRT treatment should differ in no more than 3% from those with the NCF IMRT plan. Dose-volume histograms (DVHs) were obtained for all targets and organ at risk (OAR) with both treatment techniques. Plans with NCF 3D-CRT and CF IMRT constraints on target dose in homogeneity were computed, as well as the conformity index (CI) and homogeneity index (HI) in the target volume. The PTV coverage was optimal with both NCF 3D-CRT and CF IMRT plans in the 8 tumor sites. No difference was noted between the two techniques for the average D_max and D_min dose. NCF 3D-CRT and CF IMRT will yield similar results on CI. However, HI was a significant difference between NCF 3D-CRT and CF IMRT plan (p < 0.001). Physical endpoints for target showed the mean target dose to be low in the CF IMRT plan, caused by a large target dose in homogeneity (p < 0.001). The impact of NCF 3D-CRT versus CF IMRT set-up is very slight. NCF3D-CRT is one of the treatment options for postocular invasion tumor. However, constraints for OARs are needed.     

Quasi-VMAT in high-grade glioma radiation therapy

Purpose

To compare a quasi-volumetric modulated arc therapy (qVMAT) with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for the treatment of high-grade gliomas. The qVMAT technique is a fast method of radiation therapy in which multiple equispaced beams analogous to those in rotation therapy are radiated in succession.

Patients and methods

This study included 12 patients with a planning target volume (PTV) that overlapped at least one organ at risk (OAR). 3D-CRT was planned using 2–3 non-coplanar beams, whereby the field-in-field technique (FIF) was used to divide each field into 1–3 subfields to shield the OAR. The qVMAT strategy was planned with 15 equispaced beams and IMRT was planned using 9 beams with a total of 80 segments. Inverse planning for qVMAT and IMRT was performed by direct machine parameter optimization (DMPO) to deliver a homogenous dose distribution of 60 Gy within the PTV and simultaneously limit the dose received by the OARs to the recommended values. Finally, the effect of introducing a maximum dose objective (max. dose <?54 Gy) for a virtual OAR in the form of a 0.5 cm ring around the PTV was investigated.

Results

The qVMAT method gave rise to significantly improved PTV_95% and conformity index (CI) values in comparison to 3D-CRT (PTV_95%?=?90.7?% vs. 82.0?%; CI?=?0.79 vs. 0.74, respectively). A further improvement was achieved by IMRT (PTV_95%?=?94.4?%, CI?=?0.78). In qVMAT and IMRT, the addition of a 0.5 cm ring around the PTV produced a significant increase in CI (0.87 and 0.88, respectively), but dosage homogeneity within the PTV was considerably reduced (PTV_95%?=?88.5?% and 92.3?%, respectively). The time required for qVMAT dose delivery was similar to that required using 3D-CRT.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that qVMAT should be preferred to 3D-CRT for the treatment of high-grade gliomas. The qVMAT method could be applied in hospitals, for example, which have limited departmental resources and are not equipped with systems capable of VMAT delivery.     

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.     

基于四分位距值的调强放疗计划剂量体积直方图分析

目的 提出一种基于四分位距值的调强放射治疗（IMRT）计划靶区及危及器官剂量体积直方图（DVH）差异分析方法。方法 回顾分析22例宫颈癌IMRT计划,将靶区和危及器官（膀胱、直肠和左右股骨头）5组DVH曲线从Pinnacle³计划系统中导出,对每组DVH曲线求出平均DVH曲线和四分位距值曲线。结果 计划靶区DVH在54.03 Gy处差异最大,四分位距值为6.95%,处方剂量包绕的靶区体积为（96.43±1.63）%。膀胱DVH在17.24 Gy处差异最大,四分位距值为14.62%,V₄₀和V₃₀分别为（32.79±7.06）% 和（56.47±9.94）%。直肠DVH在35.92 Gy处差异最大,四分位距值为19.94%,V₄₀和V₃₀分别为（30.17±10.80）%和（58.16±11.99）%。膀胱与直肠的四分位距值差异有统计学意义（z=-6.59, P<0.05）。左侧股骨头DVH在16.06 Gy处差异最大,四分位距值为31.47%。右侧股骨头DVH在17.47 Gy处差异最大,四分位距值为32.82%,左右股骨头间的四分位距值间差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 四分位距值曲线可以分析靶区和危及器官DVH曲线的变化趋势,为自动计划优化参数设置提供指导。     

RapidArc combined with the active breathing coordinator provides an effective and accurate approach for the radiotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma

Purpose

The goal of this research was to investigate the feasibility of volumetric modulated arc therapy, RapidArc (RA), in association with the active breathing coordinator (ABC) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with radiotherapy.

Patients and materials

A total of 12?patients with HCC, after receiving transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) treatment, underwent three-dimensional computer tomography (3D-CT) scanning associated with ABC using end inspiration hold (EIH), end expiration hold (EEH), and free breathing (FB) techniques. The three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT), intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and RA plans (three 135° arcs) were designed on different CT images, respectively. The liver volume, gross tumor volume (GTV), and planning target volume (PTV) of the three breath status and the dosimetric differences of the different plans were compared.

Results

There were no significant differences in the volumes of live and GTV between the three breathing techniques (p?>?0.05); the PTV in FB was greater than in the EEH and EIH (p?20, V₃₀, and V₄₀ of normal liver compared to 3D-CRT, while the V₅ and V₁₀ in RA were higher than in IMRT. The mean values in mean dose, V₁₀, V₂₀, V₃₀, and V₄₀ of the normal liver were reduced from 13.12?Gy, 46%, 24%, 13%, and 8% in RA_FB to 10.23?Gy, 35%, 16%, 8%, and 5% in RA_EEH and 9.23?Gy, 32%, 16%, 8%, and 5% in RA_EIH?, respectively. In addition, the treatment time of RA was equal to 3D-CRT, which was significantly shorter than IMRT.

Conclusion

RA in conjunction with ABC for the treatment of HCC with radiotherapy can achieve better dose delivery and ensure the accuracy of the target volume, which spares more organs at risk, uses fewer monitor units, and shortens treatment time.     

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.     

Dose reduction of hippocampus using HyperArc planning in postoperative radiotherapy for primary brain tumors

To compare dosimetric parameters for the hippocampus, organs at risk (OARs), and targets of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), noncoplanar VMAT (NC-VMAT), and HyperArc (HA) plans in patients undergoing postoperative radiotherapy for primary brain tumors. For 20 patients, HA plans were generated to deliver 40.05 to 60 Gy for the planning target volume (PTV). In addition, doses for the hippocampus and OARs were minimized. The VMAT and NC-VMAT plans were retrospectively generated using the same optimization parameters as those in the HA plans. For the hippocampus, the equivalent dose to be administered in 2 Gy fractions (EQD₂) was calculated assuming α/β = 2. Dosimetric parameters for the PTV, hippocampus, and OARs in the VMAT, NC-VMAT, and HA plans were compared. For PTV, the HA plans provided significantly lower D_max and D_1% than the VMAT and NC-VMAT plans (p < 0.05), whereas the D_99% and D_min were significantly higher (p < 0.05). For the contralateral hippocampus, the dosimetric parameters in the HA plans (8.1 ± 9.6, 6.5 ± 7.2, 5.6 ± 5.8, and 4.8 ± 4.7 Gy for D_20%, D_40%, D_60% and D_80%, respectively) were significantly smaller (p < 0.05) than those in the VMAT and NC-VMAT plans. Except for the optic chiasm, the D_max in the HA plans (brainstem, lens, optic nerves, and retinas) was the smallest (p < 0.05). In addition, the doses in the HA plans for the brain and skin were the smallest (p < 0.05) among the 3 plans. HA planning, instead of coplanar and noncoplanar VMAT, significantly reduces the dosage to which the contralateral hippocampus as well as other OARs are exposed without compromising on target coverage.     

Surface and superficial dose dosimetric verification for postmastectomy radiotherapy

In patients given postmastectomy radiotherapy (PMRT), the chest wall is a very thin layer of soft tissue with a low-density lung tissue behind. Chest wall treated in this situation with a high-energy photon beam presents a high dosimetric uncertainty region for both calculation and measurement. The purpose of this study was to measure and to evaluate the surface and superficial doses for patients requiring PMRT with different treatment techniques. An elliptic cylinder cork and superflab boluses were used to simulate the lung and the chest wall, respectively. Sets of computed tomography (CT) images with different chest wall thicknesses were acquired for the study phantom. Hypothetical clinical target volumes (CTVs) were outlined and modified to fit a margin of 1–3 mm, depending on the chest wall thickness, away from the surface for the sets of CT images. The planning target volume (PTV) was initially created by expanding an isotropic 3-mm margin from the CTV, and then a margin of 3 mm was shrunk from the phantom surface to avoid artifact-driven results in the beam-let intensity. Treatment techniques using a pair of tangential wedged fields (TWFs) and 4-field intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) were designed with a prescribed fraction dose (D_p) of 180 cGy. Superficial dose profiles around the phantom circumference at depths of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 5 mm were obtained for each treatment technique using radiochromic external beam therapy (EBT) films. EBT film exhibits good characteristics for dose measurements in the buildup region. Underdoses at the median and lateral regions of the TWF plans were shown. The dose profiles at shallow depths for the TWF plans show a dose buildup about 3 mm at the median and lateral tangential incident regions with a surface dose of about 52% of D_p. The dose was gradually increased toward the most obliquely tangential angle with a maximum dose of about 118% of D_p. Dose profiles were more uniform in the PTV region for the 4-F IMRT plans. Most of the PTV region had doses >94% of D_p at depths >1 mm. The mean surface dose was about 65% of D_p for the 4-F IMRT plans. The maximum dose for the 4-F IMRT plans was <118.4% of D_p. The application of added bolus has to consider the treatment technique, tumor coverage, and possible skin reactions. For PMRT, if the chest surface and wall are treated adequately, at least 3 mm bolus should be added to the chest wall when tangential beams and 6-MV photon energy are arranged. However, when the surface and superficial regions are not high-risk areas, an IMRT plan with tangential beams and 6-MV photon energy can provide uniform dose distributions within the PTV, spare the skin reaction, and deliver sufficient doses to the chest wall at depths >1 mm.