Regina Bromley

Volumetric-modulated Arc Therapy in Head and Neck Radiotherapy: A Planning Comparison using Simultaneous Integrated Boost for Nasopharynx and Oropharynx Carcinoma

AIMS Volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) allows rapid delivery of radiotherapy. The aim of this planning study was to evaluate VMAT and dynamic intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) using a simultaneous integrated boost technique PATIENTS AND METHODS Planning computed tomography data from 10 patients with locoregionally advanced oropharynx or nasopharynx carcinoma were selected. The prescription dose was 70, 63 and 56Gy to the high-dose, intermediate-dose and low-dose planning target volume (PTV), respectively, and planning parameters were according to Radiation Therapy Oncology Group IMRT protocols. VMAT and IMRT plans were calculated, and dose-volume histograms were created for plan evaluation and comparison. RESULTS Clinically acceptable plans were achieved for both IMRT and VMAT plans, although IMRT plans typically required three times the number of monitor units. The coverage of 95% of the PTV70 was between 96 and 100% of the prescribed dose for IMRT plans and 100% for all VMAT plans. There was a trend of improved dose conformity for IMRT plans. Both IMRT and VMAT achieved acceptable plans in terms of sparing of the spinal cord and brainstem. Contralateral parotid sparing was improved with VMAT, with a mean dose of 25.08Gy (range 21.35-30.02Gy) for oropharynx and 31.37Gy (range 23.47-35.52Gy) for nasopharynx cases. CONCLUSION Simultaneous integrated boost VMAT achieved comparable plans to dynamic IMRT in complex head and neck cases and used two-thirds less monitor units.

Dosimetric comparison of intensity modulated radiotherapy techniques and standard wedged tangents for whole breast radiotherapy

Prior to introducing intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for whole breast radiotherapy (WBRT) into our department we undertook a comparison of the dose parameters of several IMRT techniques and standard wedged tangents (SWT). Our aim was to improve the dose distribution to the breast and to decrease the dose to organs at risk (OAR): heart, lung and contralateral breast (Contra Br). Treatment plans for 20 women (10 right‐sided and 10 left‐sided) previously treated with SWT for WBRT were used to compare (a) SWT; (b) electronic compensators IMRT (E‐IMRT); (c) tangential beam IMRT (T‐IMRT); (d) coplanar multi‐field IMRT (CP‐IMRT); and (e) non‐coplanar multi‐field IMRT (NCP‐IMRT). Plans for the breast were compared for (i) dose homogeneity (DH); (ii) conformity index (CI); (iii) mean dose; (iv) maximum dose; (v) minimum dose; and dose to OAR were calculated (vi) heart; (vii) lung and (viii) Contra Br. Compared with SWT, all plans except CP‐IMRT gave improvement in at least two of the seven parameters evaluated. T‐IMRT and NCP‐IMRT resulted in significant improvement in all parameters except DH and both gave significant reduction in doses to OAR. As on initial evaluation NCP‐IMRT is likely to be too time consuming to introduce on a large scale, T‐IMRT is the preferred technique for WBRT for use in our department.

Predicting the clonogenic survival of A549 cells after modulated x-ray irradiation using the linear quadratic model

In this study we present two prediction methods, mean dose and summed dose, for predicting the number of A549 cells that will survive after modulated x-ray irradiation. The prediction methods incorporate the dose profile from the modulated x-ray fluence map applied across the cell sample and the linear quadratic (LQ) model. We investigated the clonogenic survival of A549 cells when irradiated using two different modulated x-ray fluence maps. Differences between the measured and predicted surviving fraction were observed for modulated x-ray irradiation. When the x-ray fluence map produced a steep dose gradient across the sample, fewer cells survived in the unirradiated region than expected. When the x-ray fluence map produced a less steep dose gradient across the sample, more cells survived in the unirradiated region than expected. Regardless of the steepness of the dose gradient, more cells survived in the irradiated region than expected for the reference dose range of 1-10 Gy. The change in the cell survival for the unirradiated regions of the two different dose gradients may be an important factor to consider when predicting the number of cells that will survive at the edge of modulated x-ray fields. This investigation provides an improved method of predicting cell survival for modulated x-ray radiation treatment. It highlights the limitations of the LQ model, particularly in its ability to describe the biological response of cells irradiated under these conditions.

A preliminary investigation of cell growth after irradiation using a modulated x-ray intensity pattern.

In this study we have investigated a spatial distribution of cell growth after their irradiation using a modulated x-ray intensity pattern. An A549 human non-small cell lung cancer cell line was grown in a 6-well culture. Two of the wells were the unirradiated control wells, whilst another two wells were irradiated with a modulated x-ray intensity pattern and the third two wells were uniformly irradiated. A number of plates were incubated for various times after irradiation and stained with crystal violet. The spatial distribution of the stained cells within each well was determined by measurement of the crystal violet optical density at multiple positions in the plate using a microplate photospectrometer. The crystal violet optical density for a range of cell densities was measured for the unirradiated well and this correlated with cell viability as determined by the MTT cell viability assay. An exponential dose response curve was measured for A549 cells from the average crystal violet optical density in the uniformly irradiated well up to a dose of 30 Gy. By measuring the crystal violet optical density distribution within a well the spatial distribution of cell growth after irradiation with a modulated x-ray intensity pattern can be plotted. This method can be used for in vitro investigation into the changes in radiation response associated with treatment using intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

An investigation of image guidance dose for breast radiotherapy

Cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) is used for external‐beam radiation therapy setup and target localization. As with all medical applications of ionizing radiation, radiation exposure should be managed safely and optimized to achieve the necessary image quality using the lowest possible dose. The present study investigates doses from standard kilovoltage kV radiographic and CBCT imaging protocol, and proposes two novel reduced dose CBCT protocols for the setup of breast cancer patients undergoing external beam radiotherapy. The standard thorax kV and low‐dose thorax CBCT protocols available on Varians On‐Board Imaging system was chosen as the reference technique for breast imaging. Two new CBCT protocols were created by modifying the low‐dose thorax protocol, one with a reduced gantry rotation range (“Under breast” protocol) and the other with a reduced tube current‐time product setting (“Low dose thorax 10ms” protocol). The absorbed doses to lungs, heart, breasts, and skin were measured using XRQA2 radiochromic film in an anthropomorphic female phantom. The absorbed doses to lungs, heart, and breasts were also calculated using the PCXMC Monte Carlo simulation software. The effective dose was calculated using the measured doses to the included organs and the ICRP 103 tissue weighting factors. The deviation between measured and simulated organ doses was between 3% and 24%. Reducing the protocol exposure time to half of its original value resulted in a reduction in the absorbed doses of the organs of 50%, while the reduced rotation range resulted in a dose reduction of at least 60%. Absorbed doses obtained from “Low dose thorax 10ms” protocol were higher than the doses from our departments orthogonal kV‐kV imaging protocol. Doses acquired from “Under breast” protocol were comparable to the doses measured from the orthogonal kV‐kV imaging protocol. The effective dose per fraction using the CBCT for standard low‐dose thorax protocol was 5.00±0.30 mSv; for the “Low dose thorax 10ms” protocol it was 2.44±0.21 mSv; and for the “Under breast” protocol it was 1.23±0.25 mSv when the image isocenter was positioned at the phantom center and 1.17±0.30 mSv when the image isocenter was positioned in the middle of right breast. The effective dose per fraction using the orthogonal kV‐kV protocol was 1.14±0.16 mSv. The reduction of the scan exposure time or beam rotation range of the CBCT imaging significantly reduced the dose to the organs investigated. The doses from the “Under breast” protocol and orthogonal kV‐kV imaging protocol were comparable. Simulated organ doses correlated well with measured doses. Effective doses from imaging techniques should be considered with the increase use of kV imaging protocols in order to support the use of IGRT. PACS numbers: 87.55.Qr, 87.55.ne, 87.53Bn, 87.55.kh

Intensity modulated radiotherapy and 3D conformal radiotherapy for whole breast irradiation: a comparative dosimetric study and introduction of a novel qualitative index for plan evaluation, the normal tissue index.

We report on a retrospective dosimetric study, comparing 3D conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and hybrid intensity modulated radiotherapy (hIMRT). We evaluated plans based on their planning target volume coverage, dose homogeneity, dose to organs at risk (OARs) and exposure of normal tissue to radiation. The Homogeneity Index (HI) was used to assess the dose homogeneity in the target region, and we describe a new index, the normal tissue index (NTI), to assess the dose in the normal tissue inside the tangent treatment portal.

Volumetric-modulated arc therapy in postprostatectomy radiotherapy patients: A planning comparison study

The purpose of this study was to compare postprostatectomy planning for volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with both single arc (SA) and double arcs (DA) against dynamic sliding window intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Ten cases were planned with IMRT, SA VMAT, and DA VMAT. All cases were planned to achieve a minimum dose of 68Gy to 95% of the planning target volume (PTV) and goals to limit rectal volume >40Gy to 35% and >65Gy to 17%, and bladder volumes >40Gy to 50% and >65Gy to 25%. Plans were averaged across the 10 patients and compared for mean dose, conformity, homogeneity, rectal and bladder doses, and monitor units. The mean dose to the clinical target volume and PTV was significantly higher (p<0.05) for SA compared with DA or IMRT. The homogeneity index was not significantly different: SA = 0.09; DA = 0.08; and IMRT = 0.07. The rectal V40 was lowest for the DA plan. The rectal V20 was significantly lower (p<0.05) for both the VMAT plans compared with IMRT. There were no significant differences for bladder V40 or rectal and bladder V65. The IMRT plans required 1400MU compared with 745 for DA and 708 for SA. This study shows that for equivalent dose coverage, SA and DA VMAT plans result in higher mean doses to the clinical target volume and PTV. This greater dose heterogeneity is balanced by improved low-range rectal doses and halving of the monitor units.

A class solution for volumetric-modulated arc therapy planning in postprostatectomy radiotherapy

This study is aimed to test a postprostatectomy volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) planning class solution. The solution applies to both the progressive resolution optimizer algorithm version 2 (PRO 2) and the algorithm version 3 (PRO 3), addressing the effect of an upgraded algorithm. A total of 10 radical postprostatectomy patients received 68 Gy to 95% of the planning target volume (PTV), which was planned using VMAT. Each case followed a set of planning instructions; including contouring, field setup, and predetermined optimization parameters. Each case was run through both algorithms only once, with no user interaction. Results were averaged and compared against Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 0534 end points. In addition, the clinical target volume (CTV) D100, PTV D99, and PTV mean doses were recorded, along with conformity indices (CIs) (95% and 98%) and the homogeneity index. All cases satisfied PTV D95 of 68 Gy and a maximum dose < 74.8 Gy. The average result for the PTV D99 was 64.1 Gy for PRO 2 and 62.1 Gy for PRO 3. The average PTV mean dose for PRO 2 was 71.4 Gy and 71.5 Gy for PRO 3. The CTV D100 average dose was 67.7 and 68.0 Gy for PRO 2 and PRO 3, respectively. The mean homogeneity index for both algorithms was 0.08. The average 95% CI was 1.17 for PRO 2 and 1.19 for PRO 3. For 98%, the average results were 1.08 and 1.12 for PRO 2 and PRO 3, respectively. All cases for each algorithm met the RTOG organs at risk dose constraints. A successful class solution has been established for prostate bed VMAT radiotherapy regardless of the algorithm used.

Initial experience with intra-fraction motion monitoring using Calypso guided volumetric modulated arc therapy for definitive prostate cancer treatment

Accurate delivery of radiation while reducing dose to organs at risk is essential in prostate treatment. The Calypso motion management system detects and corrects both inter‐ and intra‐fraction motion which offers potential benefits over standard alignment to fiducial markers. The aims of this study were to implement Calypso with Dynamic Edge™ gating and to assess both the motion seen, and interventions required.

The first clinical implementation of real-time image-guided adaptive radiotherapy using a standard linear accelerator

PURPOSE Until now, real-time image guided adaptive radiation therapy (IGART) has been the domain of dedicated cancer radiotherapy systems. The purpose of this study was to clinically implement and investigate real-time IGART using a standard linear accelerator. MATERIALS/METHODS We developed and implemented two real-time technologies for standard linear accelerators: (1) Kilovoltage Intrafraction Monitoring (KIM) that finds the target and (2) multileaf collimator (MLC) tracking that aligns the radiation beam to the target. Eight prostate SABR patients were treated with this real-time IGART technology. The feasibility, geometric accuracy and the dosimetric fidelity were measured. RESULTS Thirty-nine out of forty fractions with real-time IGART were successful (95% confidence interval 87-100%). The geometric accuracy of the KIM system was -0.1 ± 0.4, 0.2 ± 0.2 and -0.1 ± 0.6 mm in the LR, SI and AP directions, respectively. The dose reconstruction showed that real-time IGART more closely reproduced the planned dose than that without IGART. For the largest motion fraction, with real-time IGART 100% of the CTV received the prescribed dose; without real-time IGART only 95% of the CTV would have received the prescribed dose. CONCLUSION The clinical implementation of real-time image-guided adaptive radiotherapy on a standard linear accelerator using KIM and MLC tracking is feasible. This achievement paves the way for real-time IGART to be a mainstream treatment option.