A prospective trial of volumetric intensity-modulated arc therapy vs conventional intensity modulated radiation therapy in advanced head and neck cancer

AIM: To prospectively compare volumetric intensitymodulated arc therapy(VMAT) and conventional intensity-modulated radiation therapy(IMRT) in coverage of planning target volumes and avoidance of multiple organs at risk(OARs) in patients undergoing definitive chemoradiotherapy for advanced(stage Ⅲ or Ⅳ)squamous cell cancer of the head and neck. METHODS: Computed tomography scans of 20 patients with advanced tumors of the larynx, naso-, oroand hypopharynx were prospectively planned using IMRT(7 field) and VMAT using two arcs. Calculated doses to planning target volume(PTV) and OAR were compared between IMRT and VMAT plans. Dose-volume histograms(DVH) were utilized to obtain calculated doses to PTV and OAR, including parotids, cochlea,spinal cord, brainstem, anterior tongue, pituitary and brachial plexus. DVH's for all structures were compared between IMRT and VMAT plans. In addition the planswere compared for dose conformity and homogeneity. The final treatment plan was chosen by the treating radiation oncologist. RESULTS: VMAT was chosen as the ultimate plan in 18 of 20 patients(90%) because the plans were thought to be otherwise clinically equivalent. The IMRT plan was chosen in 2 of 20 patients because the VMAT plan produced concentric irradiation of the cord which was not overcome even with an avoidance structure. For all patients, VMAT plans had a lower number of average monitor units on average(MU = 542.85) than IMRT plans(MU = 1612.58)(P < 0.001). Using the conformity index(CI), defined as the 95% isodose volume divided by the PTV, the IMRT plan was more conformal with a lower conformity index(CI = 1.61) than the VMAT plan(CI = 2.00)(P = 0.003). Dose homogeneity, as measured by average standard deviation of dose distribution over the PTV, was not different with VMAT(1.45 Gy) or IMRT(1.73 Gy)(P = 0.069). There were no differences in sparing organs at risk.CONCLUSION: In this prospective study, VMAT plans were chosen over IMRT 90% of the time. Compared to IMRT, VMAT plans used only one third of the MUs, had shorter treatment times, and similar sparing of OAR. Overall, VMAT provided similar dose homogeneity but less conformity in PTV irradiation compared to IMRT. This difference in conformity was not clinically significant.

Dosimetric Comparative Analysis of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy and Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy in Cervical Cancer

Objective:To carry out dosimetric comparison between volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT)and intensity-modulated radiation therapy(IMRT)in cervical cancer.Methods:50 postoperative cervical cancer patients were included in this study.The patients were admitted for treatment from January 2021 to January 2022.VMAT and IMRT plans were designed for each patient to analyze the dose distribution in the target area of the two treatment techniques.Results:Comparing the monitor unit for single treatment(638.21±116.21 MU)and time of single treatment(143.21±23.14 s)in the observation group and the monitor unit for single treatment(932.14±74.11 MU)and time of single treatment(223.14±17.26 s)in the control group,there was significant difference(P<0.05);there was also significant difference(P<0.05)between the normal tissue(bladder and rectum)of the observation group and that(bladder and rectum)of the control group.Conclusion:VMAT is more effective in cervical cancer,and it has a certain protective effect on normal tissues in patients and can reduce the radiation dose.

Dosimetry Comparison between Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy with RapidArc and Fixed Field Dynamic IMRT for Local-Regionally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Objective: A dosimetric study was performed to evaluate the performance of volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy with RapidArc on locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: The CT scan data sets of 20 patients of locally advanced NPC were selected randomly. The plans were managed using volumetric modulated arc with RapidArc and fixed nine-field coplanar dynamic intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for these patients. The dosimetry of the planning target volumes (PTV), the organs at risk (OARs) and the healthy tissue were evaluated. The dose prescription was set to 70 Gy to the primary tumor and 60 Gy to the clinical target volumes (CTV) in 33 fractions. Each fraction applied daily, five fractions per week. The monitor unit (MU) values and the delivery time were scored to evaluate the expected treatment efficiency. Results: Both techniques had reached clinical treatment’s requirement. The mean dose (Dmean), maximum dose (Dmax) and minimum dose (Dmin) in RapidArc and fixed field IMRT for PTV were 68.4±0.6 Gy, 74.8±0.9 Gy and 56.8±1.1 Gy; and 67.6±0.6 Gy, 73.8±0.4 Gy and 57.5±0.6 Gy (P<0.05), respectively. Homogeneity index was 78.85±1.29 in RapidArc and 80.34±0.54 (P<0.05) in IMRT. The conformity index (CI: 95%) was 0.78±0.01 for both techniques (P>0.05). Compared to IMRT, RapidArc allowed a reduction of Dmean to the brain stem, mandible and optic nerves of 14.1% (P<0.05), 5.6% (P<0.05) and 12.2% (P<0.05), respectively. For the healthy tissue and the whole absorbed dose, Dmean of RapidArc was reduced by 3.6% (P<0.05), and 3.7% (P<0.05), respectively. The Dmean to the parotids, the spinal cord and the lens had no statistical difference among them. The mean MU values of RapidArc and IMRT were 550 and 1,379. The mean treatment time of RapidArc and IMRT was 165 s and 447 s. Compared to IMRT, the delivery time and the MU values of RapidArc were reduced by 63% and 60%, respectively. Conclusion: For locally advanced NPC, both RapidArc and IMRT reached the clinic requirement. The target volume coverage was similar for the different techniques. The RapidArc technique showed some improvements in OARs and other tissue sparing while using reduced MUs and delivery time.

Helical tomotherapy and volumetric modulated arc therapy:New therapeutic arms in the breast cancer radiotherapy

AIM To analyse clinical and dosimetric results of helical tomotherapy(HT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT) in complex adjuvant breast and nodes irradiation.METHODS Seventy-three patients were included(31 HT and 42 VMAT). Dose were 63.8 Gy(HT) and 63.2 Gy(VMAT) in the tumour bed, 52.2 Gy in the breast, 50.4 Gy in supraclavicular nodes(SCN) and internal mammary chain(IMC) with HT and 52.2 Gy and 49.3 Gy in IMC and SCN with VMAT in 29 fractions. Margins to particle tracking velocimetry were greater in the VMAT cohort(7 mm vs 5 mm).RESULTS For the HT cohort, the coverage of clinical target volumes was as follows: Tumour bed: 99.4% ± 2.4%; breast: 98.4% ± 4.3%; SCN: 99.5% ± 1.2%; IMC:96.5% ± 13.9%. For the VMAT cohort, the coverage was as follows: Tumour bed: 99.7% ± 0.5%, breast: 99.3% ± 0.7%; SCN: 99.6% ± 1.4%; IMC: 99.3% ± 3%. For ipsilateral lung, Dmean and V20 were 13.6 ± 1.2 Gy, 21.1% ± 5%(HT) and 13.6 ± 1.4 Gy, 20.1% ± 3.2%(VMAT). Dmean and V30 of the heart were 7.4 ± 1.4 Gy, 1% ± 1%(HT) and 10.3 ± 4.2 Gy, 2.5% ± 3.9%(VMAT). For controlateral breast Dmean was 3.6 ± 0.2 Gy(HT) and 4.6 ± 0.9 Gy(VMAT). Acute skin toxicity grade 3 was 5% in the two cohorts.CONCLUSION HT and VMAT in complex adjuvant breast irradiation allow a good coverage of target volumes with an acceptable acute tolerance. A longer follow-up is needed to assess the impact of low doses to healthy tissues.

Partial and Full Arc Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy in Lung Cancer Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy with Different Definitions of Internal Target Volume Based on 4D CT

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of partial arc volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in lung cancer stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), as well the volumetric and dosimetric effects of different internal target volume (ITV) definitions with 4D CT. Methods: Fourteen patients with primary and metastatic lung cancer underwent SBRT were enrolled. Full and partial arc VMAT plans were generated with four different ITVs: ITVall, ITVMIP, ITVAIP and ITV2phases, representing ITVs generated from all 10 respiratory phases, maximum intensity projection (MIP), average intensity projection (AIP), and 2 extreme respiratory phases. Volumetric and dosimetric differences, as well as MU and delivery time were investigated. Results: Partial arc VMAT irradiated more dose at 2 cm away from planning target volume (PTV) (P = 0.002), however, it achieved better protection on mean lung dose , lung V5, spinal cord, heart and esophagus compared with full arc VMAT. The average MU and delivery time of partial arc VMAT were 240 and 1.6 min less than those of full arc VMAT. There were no significant differences on target coverage and organ at risks (OARs) sparing among four ITVs. The average percent volume differences of ITVMIP, ITVAIP and ITV2phases to ITVall were 8.6%, 13.4%, and 25.2%, respectively. Conclusions: Although partial arc VMAT delivered more dose 2 cm out of PTV, it decreases the dose to lung, spinal cord, and esophagus, as well decreased the total MU and delivery time compared with full arc VMAT without sacrificing target coverage. Partial arc VMAT was feasible and more efficient for lung SBRT.

Volumetric modulation arc radiotherapy with flattening filter-free beams compared with conventional beams for nasopharyngeal carcinoma:a feasibility study

There is increasing interest in the clinical use of flattening filter-free(FFF) beams.In this study,we aimed to investigate the dosimetric characteristics of volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy(VMAT) with FFF beams for nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC).Ten NPC patients were randomly selected to undergo a RapidArc plan with either FFF beams(RA-FFF) or conventional beams(RA-C).The doses to the planning target volumes(PTVs),organs at risk(OARs),and normal tissues were compared.The technical delivery parameters for RapidArc plans were also assessed to compare the characteristics of FFF and conventional beams.Both techniques delivered adequate doses to PTVs.For PTVs,RA-C delivered lower maximum and mean doses and improved conformity and homogeneity compared with RA-FFF.Both techniques provided similar maximum doses to the optic nerves and lenses.For the brain stem,spinal cord,larynx,parotid glands,oral cavity,and skin,RA-FFF showed significant dose increases compared to RA-C.The dose to normal tissue was lower in RA-FFF.The monitor units(MUs) were(536 ± 46) MU for RA-FFF and(501± 25) MU for RA-C.The treatment duration did not significantly differbetween plans.Although both treatment plans could meet clinical needs,RA-C is dosimetrically superior to RA-FFF for NPC radiotherapy.

A dosimetric evaluation of flattening filter-free volumetric modulated arc therapy for postoperative treatment of cervical cancer

Objective The aim of the study was to compare flattening filter-free(FFF) beams and conventional flattening filter(FF) beams in volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT) for cervical cancer after surgery, through a retrospective planning study.Methods VMAT plans of FFF beams and normal FF beams were designed for a cohort of 15 patients. The prescribed dose was 45 Gy to 1.8 Gy per fraction, and at least 95% of the planning target volume received this dose. Doses were computed with a commercially available treatment planning system using a Monte Carlo(MC) algorithm. Plans were compared according to dose-volume histogram analysis in terms of planning target volume homogeneity and conformity indices(HI and CI), as well as organs at risk(OAR) dose and volume parameters. Results FFF-VMAT was similar to FF-VMAT in terms of CI, but inferior to FF-VMAT considering HI. No statistically differences were observed between FFF-VMAT and FF-VMAT in following organ at risks including pelvic bone marrow, small bowel, bladder, rectum, and normal tissue(NT)..Conclusion For patients with cervical cancer after hysterectomy, the FFF beam achieved target and OAR dose distribution similar to that of the FF beam. Reduction of beam-on time in cervical cancer is beneficial.

DICOM-RT Plan Complexity Verification for Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between plan parameters verified with DICOM-RT and dosimetric results for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). We investigated three treatment locations: prostate cancer (ten cases), maxillary sinus cancer (four cases), and malignant pleura mesothelioma (four cases) with treatment plans generated by a MonacoTM treatment planning system (TPS), and delivered with an Elekta SynergyTM linear accelerator. We calculated plan parameters, including gantry and multileaf collimator (MLC) positions, Monitor Units (MU), and millimeters of MLC motion per degree of gantry rotation (mm/degree), and performed quality assurance (QA) with a DICOM-RT plan verification system. We measured the VMAT dose with a two-dimensional diode array detector. The average gamma passing rate with percent dose acceptance criteria and distance to agreement criteria of 2 mm and 2% (2 mm/2%) were 97.4%, 97.8% and 92.0% for prostate cancer, maxillary sinus cancer, and malignant pleural mesothelioma, respectively. The mean 95th percentile value for DICOM-calculated mm/degree was 4.0, 5.2, and 11.1 for prostate cancer, maxillary sinus cancer, and malignant pleural mesothelioma, respectively. The gamma passing rate showed a correlation with calculated mm/degree, with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.60. Higher calculated mm/degree values led to increased dosimetric errors. We conclude that dose distribution calculated by a TPS is more reliable at smaller mm/degree.

Volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy for limited osteosclerotic myeloma

AIM:To assess the feasibility of volumetric intensity-modulated arc radiotherapy (VMAT) in patients with limited polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal gammopathy, and skin changes syndrome. METHODS:A 70-year-old male with histologically confirmed osteosclerotic myeloma was treated in our department in July 2010 with VMAT. Fourty-six Gray in 23 fractions were given on three bone lesions. Doses delivered to target volume and critical organs were compared with a tridimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-RT) plan. Treatment was well tolerated without any side effects.RESULTS:VMAT improved dose homogeneity within the target volume, as compared to 3D-RT (standard deviations:2.9 Gy and 1.6 Gy for 3D and VMAT, respectively). VMAT resulted in a better sparing of critical organs. Dose delivered to 20% of organ volume (D20) was reduced from 22 Gy (3D-RT) to 15 Gy (VMAT) for small bowel, from 24 Gy (3D-RT) to 17 Gy (VMAT) for bladder and from 47 Gy (3D-RT) to 3 Gy (VMAT) for spinal cord. Volumes of critical organs that received at least 20 Gy (V20) were decreased by the use of VMAT, as compared to 3D-RT (V20 bladder:10% vs 99%; V20 small bowel:6% vs 21%). One year after treatment completion, no tumor progression has been reported. CONCLUSION:VMAT improved dose distribution as compared to 3D-RT for limited osteosclerotic myeloma, with better saving of critical organs.

Case Report: Anaplastic Astrocytoma Treated with Postoperative Radiotherapy Using Flattening Filter-Free Volumetric Arc Therapy (FFF-VMAT) during Pregnancy—Acceptable Fetal Dosimetry

Background: Postoperative irradiation for brain tumor in pregnant women is a matter of concern. Aim: We aimed to assess the safety of radiotherapy for brain tumors in pregnancy. We here report a successful treatment for anaplastic astrocytoma during pregnancy: surgery + postoperative irradiation. We wish to emphasize how we devised irradiation procedure to achieve both therapeutic effectiveness and safety to the fetus/infant. Case Presentation: A 34-year-old pregnant woman suffered with brain anaplastic astrocytoma. Tumor resection under craniotomy was performed with success. We decided to conduct postoperative radiotherapy at 25 weeks of gestation to reduce the risk of recurrence. We used a flattening filter-free volumetric arc therapy (FFF-VMAT) technique, which can achieve lower out-of-field dose than VMAT with a flattening filter or helical tomotherapy. We prescribed 60 Gy over 30 fractions. During actual beam delivery, surface and rectal dose to the patient (mother) were measured. The total fetal dose was estimated at 0.006 - 0.018 Gy, which is under the threshold set by the ICRP. A male healthy infant was born vaginally at the 37th week of pregnancy. The patient (mother) and the infant are healthy at the time of writing. Conclusion: FFF-VMAT is a good choice for brain tumors during pregnancy.

Benefits and Limitations of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy in Treating Bilateral Breast Cancer with Regional Lymph Nodes

Purpose: The study was performed comparing dosimetric characteristics of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and field-in-field (FiF) techniques on a patient with synchronous bilateral breast carcinoma. Methods: The patients with bilateral breast cancer treatment were included in this study. A total dose of 40.05 Gy in 15 fractions was prescribed to the Planning Target Volume (PTV) of the whole bilateral breast cancer with the supraclavicular and infraclavicular nodes, with a complementary boost of 10 Gy in 4 fractions to the surgical bed (PTVboost). For both radiotherapy techniques, several VxGy parameters were analyzed for the PTVs, together with the Conformity index (CI), the Homogeneity index (HI) and the critical organs at risk (OARs), lungs and heart. Results: The patient was treated by the VMAT technique and the daily treatment time was less than 20 minutes with daily CBCT imaging. In the VMAT plan, the PTV 95% dose covered 38.89 ± 0.81 Gy, compared to 37.26 ± 1.02 Gy in the FiF technique. The VMAT plan improved the dose homogeneity index and lower dose in lung towards high dose region. Conclusion: The study demonstrates the viability of the VMAT technique in the treatment of bilateral breast cancer. The introduced single isocentric VMAT technique is fast to deliver and it increases the dose homogeneity of the target volume with some limitations. The treatment was well tolerated, without interruption of the treatment courses caused by treatment-related toxicities.

Dosimetric comparison of different multileaf collimators in volumetric modulated arc therapy for malignant pleural mesothelioma

Objective The aiom of the study was to compare the impacts of two types of multileaf collimators(MLC) [standard MLC with a width of 10 mm(s MLC) and micro-MLC with a width of 5 mm(m MLC)] on volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT) planning for malignant pleural mesothelioma. Methods VMAT for ten patients with inoperable malignant pleural mesotheliomas was retrospectively planned with the s MLC and m MLC. Histogram-based dose-volume parameters of the planning target volume(PTV) [conformity index(CI) and homogeneous index(HI)] and organs-at-risk were compared for VMAT plans with s MLC(s MLC-VMAT) and m MLC(m MLC-VMAT). Results The m MLC-VMAT plans were more efficient(average delivery time: 2.67±1.49 min) than the s MLC-VMAT plans(average delivery time: 4.21 ± 2.03 min; P < 0.05). Moreover, compared to the s MLC plans, the m MLC plans demonstrated advantages in the dose coverage of the PTV(CI 0.75 ± 0.08 vs 0.73 ± 0.09; HI 1.09 ± 0.02 vs 1.10 ± 0.02), although the difference was not statistically significant(P > 0.05). In addition, significant dose sparing in the fraction of the ipsilateral lung volume receiving > 20 Gy(V20; 54.72 ± 27.08 vs 58.52 ± 29.30) and > 30 Gy(V30; 42.74 ± 27.86 vs 46.86 ± 31.49) radiation, respectively, was observed for the m MLC plans(P < 0.05). Conclusion Comparing s MLC-VMAT and m MLC-VMAT not only demonstrated the higher efficiency and better optimal target coverage of m MLC-VMAT, but also considerably improved the dose sparing of the ipsilateral lung in the VMAT plans for malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Predicting Delivery Error Using a DICOM-RT Plan for Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prediction of mechanical error using DICOM-RT plan parameters for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). We created plans for gantry rotation arcs of 360° and 180° (full-arc and half-arc VMAT) for six maxillary sinus cancer cases using a Monaco treatment planning system, and delivered the doses with a linear accelerator. We calculated DICOM-RT plan parameters, including gantry, multileaf collimator (MLC) positions and Monitor Units (MU). We compared plans with regard to gantry angle per MU (degrees/MU) and MLC travel per MU (mm/MU) for each segment. Calculated gantry angle/MLC position speeds and errors were evaluated by comparison with the log file. On average, the half-arc VMAT plan resulted in 47% and 35% fewer degrees/MU and mm/MU than the full-arc VMAT plan, respectively. The root mean square (r.m.s.) gantry and MLC speeds showed a linear relationship with calculated degrees/MU and mm/MU, with coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.86 and 0.72, respectively. The r.m.s. gantry angle and MLC position errors showed a linear relationship with calculated degrees/MU and mm/MU with R2 of 0.63 and 0.76, respectively. Deviations from plan parameters were related to mechanical error for VMAT, and provided quantitative information without the need for VMAT delivery. These parameters can be used in the selection of treatment planning.

ArcCHECK Machine QA工具在医用直线加速器质量保证中的应用效果

目的探讨ArcCHECK Machine QA工具在医用直线加速器质量保证中的应用效果。方法利用ArcCHECK Machine QA工具和ArcCHECK体模对医用直线加速器进行性能测试,项目包括机架角度、机架旋转速度、机架旋转中心、多叶准直器和铅门位置的一致性、机架旋转出束时的平坦度和对称性,评估该工具在医用直线加速器质量保证中的应用效果。结果旋转模式下机架平均旋转速度为3.6 deg/s,最大偏差约0.5 deg/s;机架旋转等中心形成的平均半径为0.4 mm,多叶准直器与铅门的最大距离正、负差异平均值分别为0.7 mm、-0.7 mm;旋转出束模式下Y方向的平坦度为1.8%,Y方向的对称性为1.1%,X方向的对称性为4.3%。结论ArcCHECK Machine QA工具可用于医用直线加速器常规及容积调强出束性能质量保证。

基于ArcCheck和电子射野影像装置脑瘤患者特异性容积调强放射治疗剂量验证过程容差限值与干预限值研究

目的:基于ArcCheck和电子射野影像装置(EPID)开展脑瘤患者特异性容积调强放射治疗(VMAT)剂量验证,明确两种不同类别验证工具对脑瘤VMAT剂量验证的适用性,探索剂量验证中γ通过率容差限值(TL)和干预限值(AL),为放射治疗质量控制提供参考。方法:采用随机数表法选取在医院实施VMAT计划的180例脑瘤患者。根据病种及部位的不同将其分为30例较大靶区胶质瘤计划(X方向≥14 cm)、30例中等靶区胶质瘤计划(X方向<14 cm)、30例较小靶区室管膜瘤计划、30例生殖细胞瘤全脑计划、30例生殖细胞瘤全脑室计划、60例生殖细胞瘤小野加量计划和30例脑膜瘤计划,分别基于ArcCheck和EPID开展剂量验证,并将其分为ArcCheck组和EPID组;γ分析均设置为3%/2 mm标准、10%剂量阈值下γ通过率≥95%;对比两组验证计划γ通过率,评价剂量验证的TL和AL。结果:(1)靶区较大胶质瘤和全脑计划中ArcCheck组γ通过率分别为98.40%和98.90%,均高于EPID组,其差异有统计学意义(Z=-4.423,Z=-4.685;P<0.05),ArcCheck组TL、AL明显高于通用限值,EPID组TL、AL较通用限值差近5%;(2)靶区中等胶质瘤和全脑室计划中ArcCheck组和EPID组γ通过率分别为96.98%、97.36%和97.11%、97.60%,两组γ通过率差异无统计学意义,两组TL和AL均≥94%和>90%;(3)小靶区的室管膜瘤计划和生殖细胞瘤小野加量计划,ArcCheck组γ通过率分别为93.45%和94.06%,均低于EPID组,其差异有统计学意义(t=-9.40%,t=-9.41;P<0.05),ArcCheck组TL较通用限值差分别为6.88%和8.47%,AL较通用限值差分别为10.40%和8.76%,EPID组TL>90%、AL接近90%;(4)靶区大小不一、形状复杂的脑膜瘤中ArcCheck组和EPID组γ通过率分别为96.75%和97.05%,差异均无统计学意义,ArcCheck组TL、AL分别为89.33%和86.86%;EPID组TL、AL分别为93.17%和89.69%,更接近通用限值。结论:在靶区较大胶质瘤和全脑VMAT计划中,推荐使用ArcCheck进行剂量验证。在靶区较小室管膜瘤、生殖细胞瘤小野和脑膜瘤VMAT计划中,推荐使用EPID进行剂量验证。

Evaluation of 3D-CRT and VMAT Radiotherapy Plans for Left Breast Cancer with Regional Lymph Nodes Irradiation

Introduction: Radiation therapy after breast surgery is an integral part of the treatment of early breast cancer. The goal of radiation therapy is to achieve the best possible coverage of the planning target volume (PTV), while reducing the dose to organs at risk (OARs) which are normal tissues whose sensitivity to irradiation could cause damage that can lead to modification of the treatment plan. In the last decade, radiation oncologist started to use the Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) for irradiating the breast, in order to achieve better dose distribution and target dose to the PTV and OAR. The aim of this study is to compare 2 external radiotherapy techniques (VMAT vs 3D) for patients with node-positive left breast cancer. Patients and Methods: We randomly selected 10 cases of postoperative radiotherapy for breast cancer in our hospital. The patients are all female, the average age was 45.4 years old, and the primary lesions are left breast. The ANOVA test was used to compare the mean difference between subgroups, and the p value Results: Dose volume histogram (DVH) was used to analyze each evaluation dose of clinical target volume (CTV) and organs at risk (OARs). Compared to 3DCRT plans, VMAT provided more uniform coverage to the breast and regional lymph nodes. The max point dose for tVMAT was lower on average (106.4% for VMAT versus 109% for 3DCRT). OAR sparing was improved with tVMAT, with a lower average V17Gy for the left lung (27.91% for VMAT versus 30.04% for 3DCRT, p and lower for V28Gy (13.75% for VMAT versus 22.34% for 3DCRT, p = 0.01). We also found a lower V35Gy for the heart on VMAT plan (p = 0.02). On the contrary, dose of contralateral breast was lower in 3DCRT than VMAT (0.59 Gy vs 3.65 Gy, p = 0.00). Conclusion: The both types of plans can meet the clinical dosimetry demands of postoperative radiotherapy for left breast cancer. The VMAT plan has a better conformity, but 3CDRT can provide a lower dose to the contralateral organs (breast and lung) to avoid the risk of secondary cancers.

D-CBCT在肺癌容积旋转调强计划精准治疗中的临床应用

目的探讨椎形束CT(D-CBCT)在肺癌容积旋转调强(VMAT)计划精准治疗中的临床应用。方法选取2019年10月~2022年10月在南通市第三人民医院放射治疗科就诊的100例肺癌患者。根据CBCT扫描模式不同,分为4D组(n=57)和3D组(n=43)。比较两组患者放疗摆位误差、内靶区(ITV)体积、靶区剂量、心脏受照剂量和肿瘤控制效果。结果在校正前后和治疗后,两组各摆位误差绝对值无统计学差异(P>0.05);4D组患者中下叶肿瘤ITV体积低于3D组(P<0.05);4D组的最大剂量(D_(max))、最小剂量(D_(min))和平均剂量(D_(mean))靶区剂量均高于3D组(P<0.05);4D组的V10、V20、V30及平均受量(D_(mean))等心脏受照剂量均低于3D组(P<0.05);4D组和3D组患者的客观有效率无明显差异(P>0.05)。结论可将D-CBCT应用于肺癌容积旋转调强计划精准治疗中,尤其采用4D-CBCT可更好提供靶区剂量,减少肺癌患者的中下叶肿瘤ITV体积和心脏受照剂量。

容积旋转调强与调强放疗在宫颈癌放疗中的应用及剂量学、安全性研究

目的:探究容积旋转调强放疗(VMAT)与调强放疗(IMRT)在宫颈癌根治术后放疗中的应用及剂量学、安全性。方法:选取宫颈癌根治后且拟行放疗的患者60例,根据随机数字表法将其分为VMAT组(30例)和IMRT组(30例),分别给予VMAT治疗与IMRT治疗,对比两组机器跳数、治疗计划执行时间、靶区适形度(CI)和均匀性指数(HI)、危及器官的剂量差异及不良反应等。结果:VMAT组在计划控制点多于IMRT组的情况下,其治疗时间仍短于IMRT组。通过Delta验证,VAMT组患者的3%/3 mm和4%/4 mmγ通过率低于IMRT组(均P<0.05)。VAMT组计划的CI记录与IMRT组比较无统计学差异(P>0.05),但与IMRT组相比,VAMT组的HI更接近于1,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。VAMT组直肠的V_(30)、V_(40)、V_(50)低于IMRT组,VAMT组对骨盆、膀胱的V_(20)、V_(30)、V_(40)低于IMRT组(均P<0.05);VAMT组和IMRT组发生胃肠道反应患者分别有9例(30.00%)、14例(46.67%);VAMT组和IMRT组发生膀胱反应的患者分别有3例(10.00%)、5例(16.67%),两组胃肠道、膀胱反应发生率比较均无统计学差异(均P>0.05)。两组疗效及随访期内复发或转移情况对比均无统计学差异(均P>0.05)。结论:在宫颈癌根治术后放疗时,VMAT治疗可时间缩短,且治疗效率及剂量学参数优于IMRT,可有效保护骨盆、直肠和膀胱,安全性好。

ArcCheck模体与胶片在鼻咽癌VMAT剂量验证中的比较研究

比较研究ArcCheck与胶片在鼻咽癌容积弧形调强(VMAT)验证中的应用,探讨ArcCheck在VMAT剂量验证中的可行性。随机选取5例鼻咽癌病人的VMAT治疗计划,分别用ArcCheck和胶片两种方法进行剂量验证,比较两种方法的验证结果。ArcCheck验证的平均通过率为96.74±2.60,胶片验证的平均通过率是95.95±1.17,利用统计分析t检验,结果表明ArcCheck和胶片验证两种结果在剂量学上没有明显差异。ArcCheck分析软件可以直接获取三维合成的剂量分布,且操作过程较胶片验证简单,可以更为便捷的进行VMAT剂量验证。

ArcCheck系统在鼻咽癌容积旋转调强剂量验证中的应用

目的:研究ArcCheck验证系统在鼻咽癌容积旋转调强剂量验证中的应用。在病人接受放射治疗之前,进行容积调强计划的验证,使其满足计划设计要求。保证患者实际照射中接受到准确的剂量,确保治疗的安全。方法:选择34例鼻咽癌病例用热塑型体部网罩固定,CT扫描定位,将计划CT传到Pinnacle计划系统(9.2版本)中进行容积旋转调强治疗计划设计,然后将设计好的计划传输至MOSAIQ网络系统上。同时把治疗计划导入ArcCheck模体中重新新型剂量计算。在验证之前,对Arccheck系统进行本底校准,矩阵校准,绝对剂量校准。分析方法采用的是Gamma方法在ArcCHECK自带软件中对治疗计划系统中计算的结果和实际测量的结果二者的差异,阈值标准选择3%,3mm,10%。采用微软Excel2003数据统计软件。结果:Gamma分析方法相对量通过率97.9%,绝对量通过率为95.9%;实测剂量分布图与理论计算剂量分布图在高低剂量点分布上重合很好;另外X方向和Y方向的平坦度,实测结果与计算结果很接近。结论:ArcCheck验证系统在鼻咽癌容积旋转剂量验证中是可行的。它是一种方便快捷准确的旋转调强剂量验证方法。