Evaluation of unified intensity-modulated arc therapy for the radiotherapy of head-and-neck cancer

Dosimetric comparison of helical tomotherapy and hybrid (3DCRT-VMAT) technique for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Aim:

The purpose of the present study is to compare hybrid [three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy-volumetric-modulated arc therapy (3DCRT-VMAT)] and helical tomotherapy (HT) techniques in terms of both planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk (OARs) in the plans we made in locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients

Material and methods:

Radiotherapy was planned for 15 locally advanced NSCLC patients with 2 different techniques. Large tumours with positive mediastinal lymph nodes were preferred. The prescription dose was determined as 60 Gy at 30 fractions.

Results:

Mean PTV volume was 602·5 cc (range: 265–1461). Mean total lung volume was 4264 cc (range: 1885–6803). Homogeneity index, Dmean, Dmax, D2 and V105 were found to be lower in HT, V100, total monitor units (MU) and total beam on time were found to be lower in the hybrid plan. Total lung Dmean was found to be 17 Gy in both techniques. V10 value was 42·85 in the hybrid plan and 48·67 in HT (p = 0·037). Heart Dmean was 14·5 Gy in the hybrid plan and 18·7 in HT (p < 0·001), and V30 values were 18·1 and 22·9, respectively (p = 0·009).

Conclusion:

Suitable dose coverage and OAR doses can be provided with both techniques. Especially the opposite lung, heart and oesophagus doses can be kept lower with the hybrid plan, and lower MU and shorter beam on time can be provided.

Technical Note: A fast inverse direct aperture optimization algorithm for volumetric-modulated arc therapy

PURPOSE

In a recent article, our group proposed a fast direct aperture optimization (DAO) algorithm for fixed-gantry intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) called fast inverse direct aperture optimization (FIDAO). When tested on fixed-gantry IMRT plans, we observed up to a 200-fold increase in the optimization speed. Compared to IMRT, rotational volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is a much larger optimization problem and has many more delivery constraints. The purpose of this work is to extend and evaluate FIDAO for inverse planning of VMAT plans.

METHODS

A prototype FIDAO algorithm for VMAT treatment planning was developed in MATLAB using the open-source treatment planning toolkit matRad (v2.2 dev_VMAT build). VMAT treatment plans using one 360⁰ arc were generated on the AAPM TG-119 phantom, as well as sample clinical liver and prostate cases. The plans were created by first performing fluence map optimization on 28° equispaced beams, followed by aperture sequencing and arc sequencing with a gantry angular sampling rate of 4°. After arc sequencing, a copy of the plan underwent DAO using the prototype FIDAO algorithm, while another copy of the plan underwent DAO using matRad's DAO method, which served as the conventional algorithm.

RESULTS

Both algorithms achieved similar plan quality, although the FIDAO plans had considerably fewer hot spots in the unspecified normal tissue. The optimization time (number of iterations) for FIDAO and the conventional DAO algorithm, respectively, were: 65 s (245) vs 602 s (275) in the TG-119 phantom case; 25 s (85) vs 803 s (159) in the liver case; and 99 s (174) vs 754 s (149) in the prostate case.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated promising speed enhancements in using FIDAO for the direct aperture optimization of VMAT plans.

Evaluation of the hybrid-dynamic conformal arc therapy technique for radiotherapy of lung cancer

Purpose

A hybrid-dynamic conformal arc therapy (HDCAT) technique consisting of a single half-rotated dynamic conformal arc beam and static field-in-field beams in two directions was designed and evaluated in terms of dosimetric benefits for radiotherapy of lung cancer.

Materials and Methods

This planning study was performed in 20 lung cancer cases treated with the VERO system (BrainLAB AG, Feldkirchen, Germany). Dosimetric parameters of HDCAT plans were compared with those of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) plans in terms of target volume coverage, dose conformity, and sparing of organs at risk.

Results

HDCAT showed better dose conformity compared with 3D-CRT (conformity index: 0.74 ± 0.06 vs. 0.62 ± 0.06, p < 0.001). HDCAT significantly reduced the lung volume receiving more than 20 Gy (V₂₀: 21.4% ± 8.2% vs. 24.5% ± 8.8%, p < 0.001; V₃₀: 14.2% ± 6.1% vs. 15.1% ± 6.4%, p = 0.02; V₄₀: 8.8% ± 3.9% vs. 10.3% ± 4.5%, p < 0.001; and V₅₀: 5.7% ± 2.7% vs. 7.1% ± 3.2%, p < 0.001), V₄₀ and V₅₀ of the heart (V₄₀: 5.2 ± 3.9 Gy vs. 7.6 ± 5.5 Gy, p < 0.001; V₅₀: 1.8 ± 1.6 Gy vs. 3.1 ± 2.8 Gy, p = 0.001), and the maximum spinal cord dose (34.8 ± 9.4 Gy vs. 42.5 ± 7.8 Gy, p < 0.001) compared with 3D-CRT.

conclusions

HDCAT could achieve highly conformal target coverage and reduce the doses to critical organs such as the lung, heart, and spinal cord compared to 3D-CRT for the treatment of lung cancer patients.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) versus 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) for head and neck cancer: cost-effectiveness analysis

SUMMARY BACKGROUND: A cost-effectiveness analysis of IMRT compared to 3D-CRT for head and neck cancer patients (HNCPs) was conducted in the Brazilian Public Health System. METHODS: A Markov model was used to simulate radiation therapy-induced dysphagia and xerostomia in HNCPs. Data from the PARSPORT trial and the quality-of-life study were used as parameters. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) and cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained were calculated. RESULTS: At 2 years, IMRT was associated with an incremental benefit of 0.16 QALYs gained per person, resulting in an ICER of BRL 31,579 per QALY gained. IMRT was considered cost-effective when using the guideline proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) of three times the national gross domestic product (GDP) per capita (BRL 72,195). Regarding life expectancy (15 years), the incremental benefit of IMRT was 1.16 QALYs gained per person, with an ICER of BRL 4,341. IMRT was also cost-effective using the WHO definition, which states that the maximum cost is equal to the GDP per capita (BRL 24,065). CONCLUSIONS: IMRT was considered cost-effective from the perspective of the Brazilian public health system.

VMAT plus a few computer-optimized non-coplanar IMRT beams (VMAT+) tested for liver SBRT

PURPOSE

To propose a novel treatment approach, designated VMAT+, involving addition of <5 IMRT beams with computer-optimized non-coplanar orientations to VMAT, and evaluate it for liver Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT). VMAT+ is investigated as an alternative for (1) coplanar VMAT and (2) multi-beam non-coplanar treatment.

METHODS/MATERIALS

For fifteen patients with liver metastases, VMAT+ plans were compared with (1) dual-arc VMAT and (2) 25-beam, non-coplanar treatment with computer-optimized beam orientations (25-NCP). All plans were generated fully automatically for delivery of the highest feasible tumor Biologically Effective Dose (BED). OAR doses, intermediate-dose-spillage, dose-compactness, and measured delivery times were evaluated.

RESULTS

With VMAT+ the maximum achievable tumor BED was equal to that of 25-NCP. Conversely, VMAT resulted in a lower tumor BED in 5 patients. Compared to VMAT, VMAT+ yielded significant dose reductions in OARs. Intermediate-dose-spillage and dose-compactness were significantly improved by 9.8% and 17.3% (p≤0.002), respectively. Treatment times with VMAT+ were only enhanced by 4.1min on average, compared to VMAT (8.4min). Improvements in OAR sparing with 25-NCP, compared to VMAT+, were generally modest and/or statistically insignificant, while delivery times were on average 20.5min longer.

CONCLUSIONS

For liver SBRT, VMAT+ is equivalent to time-consuming treatment with 25 non-coplanar beams in terms of achievable tumor BED. Compared to VMAT, OAR sparing and intermediate-dose-spillage are significantly improved, with minor increase in delivery time.