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van Wagenberg T, Voncken R, van Beveren C, Berbee M, van Limbergen E, Verhaegen F, Paiva Fonseca G. Time-resolved clinical dose volume metrics, calculations and predictions based on source tracking measurements and uncertainties to aid treatment verification and error detection for HDR brachytherapy-a proof-of-principle study. Phys Med Biol 2024; 69:135006. [PMID: 38870948 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ad580e] [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: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Objective.High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy lacks routinely available treatment verification methods. Real-time tracking of the radiation source during HDR brachytherapy can enhance treatment verification capabilities. Recent developments in source tracking allow for measurement of dwell times and source positions with high accuracy. However, more clinically relevant information, such as dose discrepancies, is still needed. To address this, a real-time dose calculation implementation was developed to provide more relevant information from source tracking data. A proof-of-principle of the developed tool was shown using source tracking data obtained from a 3D-printed anthropomorphic phantom.Approach.Software was developed to calculate dose-volume-histograms (DVH) and clinical dose metrics from experimental HDR prostate treatment source tracking data, measured in a realistic pelvic phantom. Uncertainty estimation was performed using repeat measurements to assess the inherent dose measuring uncertainty of thein vivodosimetry (IVD) system. Using a novel approach, the measurement uncertainty can be incorporated in the dose calculation, and used for evaluation of cumulative dose and clinical dose-volume metrics after every dwell position, enabling real-time treatment verification.Main results.The dose calculated from source tracking measurements aligned with the generated uncertainty bands, validating the approach. Simulated shifts of 3 mm in 5/17 needles in a single plan caused DVH deviations beyond the uncertainty bands, indicating errors occurred during treatment. Clinical dose-volume metrics could be monitored in a time-resolved approach, enabling early detection of treatment plan deviations and prediction of their impact on the final dose that will be delivered in real-time.Significance.Integrating dose calculation with source tracking enhances the clinical relevance of IVD methods. Phantom measurements show that the developed tool aids in tracking treatment progress, detecting errors in real-time and post-treatment evaluation. In addition, it could be used to define patient-specific action limits and error thresholds, while taking the uncertainty of the measurement system into consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teun van Wagenberg
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW-Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Voncken
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW-Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Celine van Beveren
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW-Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Maaike Berbee
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW-Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Evert van Limbergen
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW-Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Verhaegen
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW-Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Gabriel Paiva Fonseca
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW-Research Institute for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Koprivec D, Belanger C, Beaulieu L, Chatigny PY, Rosenfeld A, Cutajar D, Petasecca M, Howie A, Bucci J, Poder J. Development of patient and catheter specific error thresholds for high dose rate prostate brachytherapy. Med Phys 2024; 51:2144-2154. [PMID: 38308854 DOI: 10.1002/mp.16971] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In-vivo source tracking has been an active topic of research in the field of high-dose rate brachytherapy in recent years to verify accuracy in treatment delivery. Although detection systems for source tracking are being developed, the allowable threshold of treatment error is still unknown and is likely patient-specific due to anatomy and planning variation. PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine patient and catheter-specific shift error thresholds for in-vivo source tracking during high-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy (HDRPBT). METHODS A module was developed in the previously described graphical processor unit multi-criteria optimization (gMCO) algorithm. The module generates systematic catheter shift errors retrospectively into HDRPBT treatment plans, performed on 50 patients. The catheter shift model iterates through the number of catheters shifted in the plan (from 1 to all catheters), the direction of shift (superior, inferior, medial, lateral, cranial, and caudal), and the magnitude of catheter shift (1-6 mm). For each combination of these parameters, 200 error plans were generated, randomly selecting the catheters in the plan to shift. After shifts were applied, dose volume histogram (DVH) parameters were re-calculated. Catheter shift thresholds were then derived based on plans where DVH parameters were clinically unacceptable (prostate V100 < 95%, urethra D0.1cc > 118%, and rectum Dmax > 80%). Catheter thresholds were also Pearson correlated to catheter robustness values. RESULTS Patient-specific thresholds varied between 1 to 6 mm for all organs, in all shift directions. Overall, patient-specific thresholds typically decrease with an increasing number of catheters shifted. Anterior and inferior directions were less sensitive than other directions. Pearson's correlation test showed a strong correlation between catheter robustness and catheter thresholds for the rectum and urethra, with correlation values of -0.81 and -0.74, respectively (p < 0.01), but no correlation was found for the prostate. CONCLUSIONS It was possible to determine thresholds for each patient, with thresholds showing dependence on shift direction, and number of catheters shifted. Not every catheter combination is explorable, however, this study shows the feasibility to determine patient-specific thresholds for clinical application. The correlation of patient-specific thresholds with the equivalent robustness value indicated the need for robustness consideration during plan optimization and treatment planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan Koprivec
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Cedric Belanger
- Département de physique, de génie physique et d'optique et Centre de recherche sur le cancer de l'Université Laval, CHU de Québec, Québec, Canada
- Département de radio-oncologie et Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Luc Beaulieu
- Département de physique, de génie physique et d'optique et Centre de recherche sur le cancer de l'Université Laval, CHU de Québec, Québec, Canada
- Département de radio-oncologie et Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Philippe Y Chatigny
- Département de physique, de génie physique et d'optique et Centre de recherche sur le cancer de l'Université Laval, CHU de Québec, Québec, Canada
- Département de radio-oncologie et Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Anatoly Rosenfeld
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Dean Cutajar
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
- St George Cancer Care Centre, Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Marco Petasecca
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Andrew Howie
- St George Cancer Care Centre, Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joseph Bucci
- St George Cancer Care Centre, Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Joel Poder
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
- St George Cancer Care Centre, Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Physics, University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
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van Wagenberg T, Fonseca GP, Voncken R, van Beveren C, van Limbergen E, Lutgens L, Vanneste BGL, Berbee M, Reniers B, Verhaegen F. Treatment verification in high dose rate brachytherapy using a realistic 3D printed head phantom and an imaging panel. Brachytherapy 2023; 22:269-278. [PMID: 36631373 DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2022.11.012] [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: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Even though High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy has good treatment outcomes in different treatment sites, treatment verification is far from widely implemented because of a lack of easily available solutions. Previously it has been shown that an imaging panel (IP) near the patient can be used to determine treatment parameters such as the dwell time and source positions in a single material pelvic phantom. In this study we will use a heterogeneous head phantom to test this IP approach, and simulate common treatment errors to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the error-detecting capabilities of the IP. METHODS AND MATERIALS A heterogeneous head-phantom consisting of soft tissue and bone equivalent materials was 3D-printed to simulate a base of tongue treatment. An High Dose Rate treatment plan with 3 different catheters was used to simulate a treatment delivery, using dwell times ranging from 0.3 s to 4 s and inter-dwell distances of 2 mm. The IP was used to measure dwell times, positions and detect simulated errors. Measured dwell times and positions were used to calculate the delivered dose. RESULTS Dwell times could be determined within 0.1 s. Source positions were measured with submillimeter accuracy in the plane of the IP, and average distance accuracy of 1.7 mm in three dimensions. All simulated treatment errors (catheter swap, catheter shift, afterloader errors) were detected. Dose calculations show slightly different distributions with the measured dwell positions and dwell times (gamma pass rate for 1 mm/1% of 96.5%). CONCLUSIONS Using an IP, it was possible to verify the treatment in a realistic heterogeneous phantom and detect certain treatment errors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teun van Wagenberg
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Gabriel Paiva Fonseca
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Voncken
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Celine van Beveren
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Evert van Limbergen
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ludy Lutgens
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ben G L Vanneste
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Department of Human Structure and Repair; Department of Radiation Oncology, Ghent University Hospital, Gent, Belgium
| | - Maaike Berbee
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Brigitte Reniers
- Research group NuTeC, Centre for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Frank Verhaegen
- Department of Radiation Oncology (Maastro), GROW School for Oncology and Reproduction, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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Koprivec D, Rosenfeld A, Cutajar D, Petasecca M, Howie A, Bucci J, Poder J. Feasibility of online adaptive HDR prostate brachytherapy: A novel treatment concept. Brachytherapy 2022; 21:943-955. [PMID: 36068155 DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2022.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of online adaptive transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-based high-dose-rate prostate brachytherapy (HDRPBT) through retrospective simulation of source positioning and catheter swap errors on patient treatment plans. METHOD Source positioning errors (catheter shifts in 1 mm increments in the cranial/caudal, anterior/posterior, and medial/lateral directions up to ±6 mm) and catheter swap errors (between the most and least heavily weighted) were introduced retrospectively into DICOM treatment plans of 20 patients that previously received TRUS HDRPBT. Dose volume histogram (DVH) indices were monitored as errors were introduced sequentially into individual catheters, simulating potential errors throughout treatment. Whenever DVH indices were outside institution thresholds: prostate V100% <95%, urethra D0.1cc >118% and rectum Dmax >80%, the plan was adapted using remaining catheters (i.e., simulating previous catheters as previously delivered). The final DVH indices were recorded. RESULTS Prostate coverage (V100% >95%) could be maintained for source position errors up to 6 mm through online plan adaptation. The source position error at which the urethra D0.1cc and rectum Dmax was able to return to clinically acceptable levels using online adaptation varied between 6 mm to 1 mm, depending on the direction of the source position error and patient anatomy. After introduction of catheter swap errors to patient plans, prostate V100% was recoverable using online adaptation to near original plan characteristics. Urethra D0.1cc and rectum Dmax showed less recoverability. CONCLUSION Online adaptive HDRPBT maintains the prostate V100% to clinically acceptable values for majority of directional shifts. However, the current online adaptive method may not correct for source position errors near organs at risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan Koprivec
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
| | - Anatoly Rosenfeld
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Dean Cutajar
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; St George Cancer Care Centre, Kogarah, NSW, Australia
| | - Marco Petasecca
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew Howie
- St George Cancer Care Centre, Kogarah, NSW, Australia
| | - Joseph Bucci
- St George Cancer Care Centre, Kogarah, NSW, Australia
| | - Joel Poder
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia; St George Cancer Care Centre, Kogarah, NSW, Australia
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Houlihan OA, Workman G, Hounsell AR, Prise KM, Jain S. In vivo dosimetry in pelvic brachytherapy. Br J Radiol 2022; 95:20220046. [PMID: 35635803 PMCID: PMC10996950 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20220046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE This paper describes the potential role for in vivo dosimetry in the reduction of uncertainties in pelvic brachytherapy, the pertinent factors for consideration in clinical practice, and the future potential for in vivo dosimetry in the personalisation of brachytherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orla Anne Houlihan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Northern Ireland Cancer
Centre, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust,
Belfast, UK
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's
University Belfast, Belfast,
UK
| | - Geraldine Workman
- Radiotherapy Physics, Northern Ireland Cancer Centre, Belfast
Health and Social Care Trust,
Belfast, UK
| | - Alan R Hounsell
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's
University Belfast, Belfast,
UK
- Radiotherapy Physics, Northern Ireland Cancer Centre, Belfast
Health and Social Care Trust,
Belfast, UK
| | - Kevin M Prise
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's
University Belfast, Belfast,
UK
| | - Suneil Jain
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Northern Ireland Cancer
Centre, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust,
Belfast, UK
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's
University Belfast, Belfast,
UK
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Poder J, Koprivec D, Dookie Y, Howie A, Cutajar D, Damato AL, Côté N, Petasecca M, Bucci J, Rosenfeld A. HDR prostate brachytherapy plan robustness and its effect on in-vivo source tracking error thresholds: A multi-institutional study. Med Phys 2022; 49:3529-3537. [PMID: 35388456 PMCID: PMC9322430 DOI: 10.1002/mp.15658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of departmental planning techniques on appropriate in-vivo source tracking error thresholds for high dose rate (HDR) prostate brachytherapy (BT) treatments, and to determine if a single in-vivo source tracking error threshold would be appropriate for the same patient anatomy. METHOD The prostate, rectum, and urethra, was contoured on a single patient trans-rectal ultrasound (TRUS) dataset. Anonymised DICOM files were disseminated to 16 departments who created an HDR prostate BT treatment plan on the dataset with a prescription dose of 15 Gy in a single fraction. Departments were asked to follow their own local treatment planning guidelines. Source positioning errors were then simulated in the 16 treatment plans and the effect on dose-volume histogram (DVH) indices calculated. Change in DVH indices were used to determine appropriate in-vivo source tracking error thresholds. Plans were considered to require intervention if the following DVH conditions occurred: prostate V100% < 90%, urethra D0.1cc > 118%, and rectum Dmax > 80%. RESULTS There was wide variation in appropriate in-vivo source tracking error thresholds amongst the 16 participating departments, ranging from 1 - 6 mm. Appropriate in-vivo source tracking error thresholds were also found to depend on the direction of the source positioning error and the end-point. A robustness parameter was derived, and found to correlate with the sensitivity of plans to source positioning errors. CONCLUSION A single HDR prostate BT in-vivo source tracking error threshold cannot be applied across multiple departments, even for the same patient anatomy. The burden on in-vivo source tracking devices may be eased through improving HDR prostate BT plan robustness during the plan optimisation phase. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Poder
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St George Cancer Care Centre, Kogarah, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Dylan Koprivec
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Yashiv Dookie
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew Howie
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St George Cancer Care Centre, Kogarah, NSW, Australia
| | - Dean Cutajar
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St George Cancer Care Centre, Kogarah, NSW, Australia.,Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Antonio L Damato
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nicolas Côté
- Department of Medical Physics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, New York, NY, USA
| | - Marco Petasecca
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Joseph Bucci
- Department of Radiation Oncology, St George Cancer Care Centre, Kogarah, NSW, Australia
| | - Anatoly Rosenfeld
- Centre for Medical Radiation Physics, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
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Fonseca GP, Voncken R, Hermans J, Verhaegen F. Time-resolved QA and brachytherapy applicator commissioning: Towards the clinical implementation. Brachytherapy 2021; 21:128-137. [PMID: 34657801 DOI: 10.1016/j.brachy.2021.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Brachytherapy has a busy workflow relying on manual steps to ensure accurate delivery of the treatment. Systematic treatment errors have been reported due to faulty equipment, inadequate quality assurance (QA) and applicator commissioning methods. This study describes the use of a novel method, the Iridium Imaging System for QA (IrIS - QA), to automate and improve the applicator commissioning for HDR 192Ir brachytherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS A 3D printed holder attached to an Imaging Panel (IP) has been developed to: (1) acquire a high-definition projection of the applicator using the gamma rays of the 192Ir source for imaging; (2) Track the source within the applicator verifying in a time-resolved manner the dwell positions and dwell times with a high resolution. Results obtained for two applicator models are described in this manuscript. RESULTS IrIS-QA is capable of measuring the dwell times with an accuracy better than 0.1 s and interdwell distances with submillimetre precision. The applicators tested in the study showed good agreement between planned and delivered dwell times and positions, with mean and maximum dwell position deviations below 0.5 mm and 1.3 mm, respectively. Dwell time measurements showed agreement superior to 0.05 s except for the first dwell position for which up to 0.15 s differences were observed. CONCLUSIONS IrIS-QA is a compact system that includes many features necessary to improve the accuracy and efficiency of applicator commissioning and daily QA. No commercial system exists with similar capabilities. IrIS-QA is intended to replace current clinical procedures using film dosimetry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel P Fonseca
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
| | - Robert Voncken
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Joep Hermans
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Frank Verhaegen
- Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO), GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, the Netherlands
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