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Edvardsson A, Gorgisyan J, Andersson KM, Vallhagen Dahlgren C, Dasu A, Gram D, Björk-Eriksson T, Munck af Rosenschöld P. Robustness and dosimetric verification of hippocampal-sparing craniospinal pencil beam scanning proton plans for pediatric medulloblastoma. Phys Imaging Radiat Oncol 2024; 29:100555. [PMID: 38405431 PMCID: PMC10891325 DOI: 10.1016/j.phro.2024.100555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and Purpose Hippocampal-sparing (HS) is a method that can potentially reduce late cognitive complications for pediatric medulloblastoma (MB) patients treated with craniospinal proton therapy (PT). The aim of this study was to investigate robustness and dosimetric plan verification of pencil beam scanning HS PT. Materials and Methods HS and non-HS PT plans for the whole brain part of craniospinal treatment were created for 15 pediatric MB patients. A robust evaluation of the plans was performed. Plans were recalculated in a water phantom and measured field-by-field using an ion chamber detector at depths corresponding to the central part of hippocampi. All HS and non-HS fields were measured with the standard resolution of the detector and in addition 16 HS fields were measured with high resolution. Measured and planned dose distributions were compared using gamma evaluation. Results The median mean hippocampus dose was reduced from 22.9 Gy (RBE) to 8.9 Gy (RBE), while keeping CTV V95% above 95 % for all nominal HS plans. HS plans were relatively robust regarding hippocampus mean dose, however, less robust regarding target coverage and maximum dose compared to non-HS plans. For standard resolution measurements, median pass rates were 99.7 % for HS and 99.5 % for non-HS plans (p < 0.001). For high-resolution measurements, median pass rates were 100 % in the hippocampus region and 98.2 % in the surrounding region. Conclusions A substantial reduction of dose in the hippocampus region appeared feasible. Dosimetric accuracy of HS plans was comparable to non-HS plans and agreed well with planned dose distribution in the hippocampus region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anneli Edvardsson
- Radiation Physics, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Radiation Physics, Skåne University Hospital, Sweden
- Medical Radiation Physics, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jenny Gorgisyan
- Radiation Physics, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Radiation Physics, Skåne University Hospital, Sweden
- Medical Radiation Physics, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | | | - Alexandru Dasu
- The Skandion Clinic, Uppsala, Sweden
- Medical Radiation Sciences, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Daniel Gram
- Department of Clinical Oncology and Palliative Care, Radiotherapy, Zealand University Hospital, Næstved, Denmark
- Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Oncology – Section of Radiotherapy, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Björk-Eriksson
- Department of Oncology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Regional Cancer Centre West, Western Sweden Healthcare Region, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Per Munck af Rosenschöld
- Radiation Physics, Department of Hematology, Oncology and Radiation Physics, Skåne University Hospital, Sweden
- Medical Radiation Physics, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Ziemann C, Cremers F, Motisi L, Albers D, MacPherson M, Rades D. Novel hybrid treatment planning approach for irradiation a pediatric craniospinal axis. Med Dosim 2023; 49:93-101. [PMID: 37798155 DOI: 10.1016/j.meddos.2023.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
This study presents a new treatment planning approach merging 3D-CRT and VMAT fields into a hybrid treatment plan (HybTP), in order to achieve an optimum dose coverage of the planning target volume (PTV) and protection of OAR. Craniospinal axis irradiation (CSI) treated with 3D conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) is associated with high doses to the heart and eye lenses but provides better sparing of lungs and kidneys compared to volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). VMAT treatment spares eye lenses and the heart, but lungs and kidneys are not as effective as 3D-CRT. Thus, a combination of both techniques (HybTP) may be optimal in sparing all these organs at risk (OAR). The results of HybTP are compared with helical tomotherapy (HT), intensity modulated radio therapy (IMRT), VMAT, and 3D-CRT plans. Hybrid, HT, VMAT, IMRT, and 3D-CRT treatment plans for a male child (age 6 years) with medulloblastoma were created and compared. A total dose of 35.2 Gy (PTV) with a dose per fraction of 1.6 Gy was prescribed. The following dose acceptance criteria were defined: The plans were compared regarding dose homogeneity index (HI) and conformity index (CI), PTV coverage, (particularly at cribriform plate) and doses at OARs. Best conformity was achieved with HT (CI = 0.98) followed by VMAT (CI = 0.96), IMRT (CI = 0.91), HybTP (CI = 0.86), and 3D-CRT (CI = 0.83). The homogeneity index varied marginally. For both HT and IMRT the HI was 0.07, and for 3D-CRT, VMAT and HybTP the HI was between 0.13 and 0.15. The cribriform plate was sufficiently covered by HybTP, VMAT, and 3D-CRT. The dose acceptance criteria for OARs were met by HT and HybTP. VMAT did not meet the criteria for lung (Dmean = right 10.4 Gy/left 10.2 Gy), 3D-CRT did not meet the criteria for eye lenses (Dmax = right 32.3 Gy/left 33.1), and heart (V25≈44%) and IMRT did not meet the criteria for lung (Dmean = right 11.1 Gy/left 11.2 Gy) and eye lenses (Dmax = right 12.2 Gy/left 13.1). HybTP meets all defined acceptance criteria and has proved to be a reasonable alternative for CSI. With HybTP that combines VMAT at the brain and heart with 3D-CRT posterior spinal fields (to spare lungs and kidneys), both appropriate coverage of the PTV and sparing of OAR can be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Ziemann
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein/Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.
| | - Florian Cremers
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein/Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
| | - Laura Motisi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospital Zürich, Zürich, Suisse
| | - Dirk Albers
- Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Miller MacPherson
- University of Ottawa, The Ottawa Hospital, Department of Radiology, Radiation Oncology, and Medical Physics, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Dirk Rades
- Department of Radiotherapy, University Medical Center Schleswig Holstein/Campus Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany
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Turcas A, Kelly SM, Clementel E, Cernea D. Tomotherapy for Cranio-Spinal Irradiation. Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2022; 38:96-103. [PMID: 36407491 PMCID: PMC9672131 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctro.2022.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Tomotherapy is safe and effective for cranio-spinal irradiation, both in paediatric patients and in adults, with similar disease-specific outcomes and toxicities as other techniques such as 3DCRT or IMRT/VMAT. Tomotherapy offers several technical advantages when compared to other radiotherapy techniques such as higher target conformity and better dose homogeneity. Helical Tomotherapy provides good organ-at-risk sparing for several structures, especially the vertebrae, parotids, and optic system. Reported treatment time/ beam-on-time is longer with helical Tomotherapy compared to other techniques.
Tomotherapy is a method of delivering rotational IMRT offering various advantages, notably for complex and large targets such as the cranio-spinal axis. This systematic literature review reports on main clinical outcomes and toxicities in patients with various cancer types that received whole craniospinal axis irradiation (CSI) using Tomotherapy and offers a comprehensive comparison between Tomotherapy and other radiotherapy delivery techniques. Databases including PubMed, PubMed Central, Embase, and Cochrane were searched using the keywords “tomotherapy” AND “craniospinal”. Fifty-six papers were included in the review. Patient population was adult in 9 papers, paediatric in 26 papers and mixed in 14 papers. Patients treated with helical Tomotherapy had similar disease-specific clinical outcomes and toxicities as patients treated using other techniques. Compared to any other technique, Tomotherapy provides better target coverage, homogeneity, and conformity in 23, 34 and 22 reports. Tomotherapy showed better organ-at-risk sparing for the thyroid, parotids, cochlea, eyes, heart and esophagus. Beam-On-Time (BOT) was reported to be longer for Tomotherapy in most studies (Median BOT: HT = 11 min, VMAT = 5.49 min, 3DCRT = 1.46 min). In conclusion, Tomotherapy offers good cranio-spinal axis coverage with improved homogeneity and conformity compared to other techniques, but with a considerably longer treatment time. Clinical outcome and toxicities suggest using Tomotherapy for CSI is efficient and safe.
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Memantine in the Prevention of Radiation-Induced Brain Damage: A Narrative Review. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112736. [PMID: 35681716 PMCID: PMC9179311 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Decline in cognitive function is a major problem for patients undergoing whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT). Scientific interest has increased due to the high dropout rate of patients in the first months after WBRT and the early onset of cognitive decline. Therefore, the study of antiglutamatergic pharmacological prophylaxis and hippocampal-sparing WBRT techniques has been deepened based on the knowledge of the mechanisms of hyperglutamatergic neurotoxicity and the role of some hippocampal areas in cognitive decline. In order to provide a summary of the evidence in this field, and to foster future research in this setting, this literature review presents current evidence on the prevention of radiation-induced cognitive decline and particularly on the role of memantine. Abstract Preserving cognitive functions is a priority for most patients with brain metastases. Knowing the mechanisms of hyperglutamatergic neurotoxicity and the role of some hippocampal areas in cognitive decline (CD) led to testing both the antiglutamatergic pharmacological prophylaxis and hippocampal-sparing whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) techniques. These studies showed a relative reduction in CD four to six months after WBRT. However, the failure to achieve statistical significance in one study that tested memantine alone (RTOG 0614) led to widespread skepticism about this drug in the WBRT setting. Moreover, interest grew in the reasons for the strong patient dropout rates in the first few months after WBRT and for early CD onset. In fact, the latter can only partially be explained by subclinical tumor progression. An emerging interpretation of the (not only) cognitive impairment during and immediately after WBRT is the dysfunction of the limbic and hypothalamic system with its immune and hormonal consequences. This new understanding of WBRT-induced toxicity may represent the basis for further innovative trials. These studies should aim to: (i) evaluate in greater detail the cognitive effects and, more generally, the quality of life impairment during and immediately after WBRT; (ii) study the mechanisms producing these early effects; (iii) test in clinical studies, the modern and advanced WBRT techniques based on both hippocampal-sparing and hypothalamic-pituitary-sparing, currently evaluated only in planning studies; (iv) test new timings of antiglutamatergic drugs administration aimed at preventing not only late toxicity but also acute effects.
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Aljabab S, Rana S, Maes S, O'Ryan-Blair A, Castro J, Zheng J, Halasz LM, Taddei PJ. The Advantage of Proton Therapy in Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis and Hippocampus Avoidance for Children with Medulloblastoma. Int J Part Ther 2021; 8:43-54. [PMID: 35127975 PMCID: PMC8768900 DOI: 10.14338/ijpt-21-00001.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Craniospinal irradiation (CSI) improves clinical outcomes at the cost of long-term neuroendocrine and cognitive sequelae. The purpose of this pilot study was to determine whether hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA) and hippocampus avoidance (HPA-HA) with intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) can potentially reduce this morbidity compared with standard x-ray CSI. Materials and Methods We retrospectively evaluated 10 patients with medulloblastoma (mean, 7 years; range, 4-14 years). Target volumes and organs at risk were delineated as per our local protocol and the ACNS0331 atlas. An experienced neuroradiologist verified the HPA and hippocampus contours. The primary objective was CSI and boost clinical target volume (CTV) covering 95% of the volume (D95) > 99% coverage with robustness. Described proton therapy doses in grays are prescribed using a biological effectiveness relative to photon therapy of 1.1. The combined prescribed dose in the boost target was 54 Gy. Secondary objectives included the HPA and hippocampus composite average dose (Dmean ≤ 18 Gy). For each patient, volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT) and tomotherapy (TOMO) plans existed previously, and a new plan was generated with 3 cranial and 1 or 2 spinal beams for pencil-beam scanning delivery. Statistical comparison was performed with 1-way analysis of variance. Results Compared with standard CSI, HPA-HA CSI had statistically significant decreases in the composite doses received by the HPA (32.2 versus 17.9 Gy; P < .001) and hippocampi (39.8 versus 22.8 Gy; P < .001). The composite HPA Dmean was lower in IMPT plans (17.9 Gy) compared with that of VMAT (21.8 Gy) and TOMO (21.2 Gy) plans (P = .05). Hippocampi composite Dmean was also lower in IMPT plans (21 Gy) compared with that of VMAT (27.5 Gy) and TOMO (27.2 Gy) plans (P = .02). The IMPT CTV D95 coverage was lower in IMPT plans (52.8 Gy) compared with that of VMAT (54.6 Gy) and TOMO (54.6 Gy) plans (P < .001) The spared mean volume was only 1.35% (19.8 cm3) of the whole-brain CTV volume (1476 cm3). Conclusion We found that IMPT has the strong potential to reduce the dose to the HPA and hippocampus, compared with standard x-ray CSI while maintaining target coverage. A prospective clinical trial is required to establish the safety, efficacy, and toxicity of this novel CSI approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saif Aljabab
- Radiation Oncology Department, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shushan Rana
- Radiation Oncology Department, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Shadonna Maes
- Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Proton Therapy Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Jackie Castro
- Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Proton Therapy Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jack Zheng
- Radiation Medicine Program, the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lia M. Halasz
- Radiation Oncology Department, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Phillip J. Taddei
- Radiation Oncology Department, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
- Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Proton Therapy Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Mehta P, Janssen S, Fahlbusch FB, Schmid SM, Gebauer J, Cremers F, Ziemann C, Tartz M, Rades D. Sparing the hippocampus and the hypothalamic- pituitary region during whole brain radiotherapy: a volumetric modulated arc therapy planning study. BMC Cancer 2020; 20:610. [PMID: 32605648 PMCID: PMC7325372 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-020-07091-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Feasibility testing of a simultaneous sparing approach of hippocampus, hypothalamus and pituitary gland in patients undergoing whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) with and without a concomitant boost to metastatic sites. INTRODUCTION Cognitive impairment and hormonal dysfunction are common side effects of cranial radiotherapy. A reduced dose application to the patho-physiologically involved functional brain areas, i.e. hippocampus, hypothalamus and pituitary gland, could reduce these common side effects. While hippocampal sparing is already a common practice to improve cognitive outcome, technical experience of additional combined sparing of the hypothalamus/pituitary gland (HT-P) is insufficient. METHODS Twenty patients were included in the planning study. In 11 patients, a total dose of 36 Gy of WBRT (2 Gy per fraction) plus a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) of 9 Gy (0.5 Gy per fraction, total dose: 45 Gy) to the brain metastases was applied. In 9 patients, prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) was simulated with a total dose of 30 Gy (2 Gy per fraction). In both patient cohorts, a sparing approach of the hippocampus and the HT-P area was simulated during WBRT. For all treatment plans, volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) was used. Quality assurance included assessment of homogeneity, conformality and target coverage. RESULTS The mean dose to the hippocampus and HT-P region was limited to less than 50% of the prescribed dose to the planning target volume (PTV) in all treatment plans. Dose homogeneity (HI) of the target volume was satisfying (median HI = 0.16 for WBRT+SIB and 0.1 for PCI) and target coverage (conformation number, CN) was not compromised (median CN = 0.82 for SIB and 0.86 for PCI). CONCLUSION Simultaneous dose reduction to the hippocampus and the HT-P area did not compromise the PTV coverage in patients undergoing WBRT+SIB or PCI using VMAT. While the feasibility of the presented approach is promising, prospective neurologic, endocrine outcome and safety studies are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Mehta
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - S Janssen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany. .,Private Practice of Radiation Oncology, Hannover, Germany.
| | - F B Fahlbusch
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - S M Schmid
- Institute for Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany.,German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Neuherberg, Germany
| | - J Gebauer
- Institute for Endocrinology and Diabetes, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - F Cremers
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - C Ziemann
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - M Tartz
- Private Practice of Radiation Oncology, Hannover, Germany
| | - D Rades
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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