• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
• /
• 2005.04a
• /
• pp.11-15
• /
• 2005

입체조형 및 세기조절 방사선치료가 보편화되어 가고 있는 현 시점에서, 치료율을 높이기 위해 종양처방선량은 증가시키는 반면 부작용은 최소화하고자 하는 요구가 증가하고 있다. 셋업오차 및 체내운동(internal motion)은 이러한 요구를 충족시키는데 대한 한계로 작용하고 있다. 4차원방사선치료(4-dimensional radiation therapy)는 체내운동을 최소화시키거나 또는 움직임을 추적하여 방사선치료를 시행함으로써 “종양선량최대화/정상조직선량최소화”라는 고정밀방사선치료의 요구에 부응할 수 있는 치료기술로 기대를 모으고 있다. 체내운동은 호흡에 의한 움직임과 같이 단기적으로 발생되는 조사분할내(intra-fraction)와 종양의 수축, 체중 변화 등과 같이 장기적으로 발생하는 조사분할간(inter-fraction)움직임으로 구분되는데, 본 연제에서는 주로 조사분할내 움직임, 즉 호흡에 의한 움직임에 대처하는 4차원방사선치료를 위한 동적영상 획득 및 방사선치료계획과정에 초점을 맞추어 소개하고자 한다.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.115-122
• /
• 2008

Purpose: The cancer treatment which uses radiation from next year when the X-ray is discovered with the fact that it is started. The radiation treatment technique for a cancer treatment is developed ceaselessly without and it is come and, with advancement of the computer and electromagnetic engineering it joins in and quickly, it was made to do a many development from radiation treatment field. Accordingly, this study is examine in the radiotherapy technique which is developed that importance to therapeutic principles and methods. Materials and Methods: We had investigated record for radiotherapy technique which is developed and we had acquired information widely at clinical experience data. Results: The cancer treatment which uses the radiation of today is repeating a dazzling development. Past the treatment which is two-dimensional it does not correspond in therapeutic objective but currently 3 dimension three-dimensional moulding treatment or centurial control radiation treatment this the fourth dimension therapeutic technique which is in parallel to be introduced the complication solution in compliance with a normal organization protection and the radiation which are a difficult problem of during that time radiation treatment possibly did. Conclusion: 3-dimensional and 4-dimensional modern radiation treatment which is developen is that corresponding in objective of radiation treatment and the evaluation that again it does thick, judges in about the cancer treatment which uses radiation with the fact that the protection of normal organization is almost become accomplished.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.15-22
• /
• 2002

1. 목적 : 방사선종양학과에서 3차원 치료계획용 전산화단층촬영 시 조영제 주입율에 따른 CT 값(hounsfield unit, H.U) 변화를 정량적으로 평가하여 최적의 영상증강효과 및 방사선치료계획을 위한 기초 프로토콜을 제시하고자 한다. 2. 대상 및 방법: 연세암센터 방사선종양학과에서 3차원 치료계획용 전산화단층촬영을 시행한 상복부(폐암)환자 20명을 대상으로 하였다. 조영제 양(130mL)은 일정하게 고정하였고, 조영제주입율을 1.2, 1.5, 2.0 mL/sec로 변화시켜가며 조영제를 주입하면서 3차원 방사선치료계획영상에 적합한 조영제주입율(contrast flow rate)과 지연시간(delay time)을 도출하였고, CT 값을 측정하여 정량적 평가를 시행하였다. 관심부위는 폐동맥과 폐정맥으로 하였다. 그리고, 환자 기본정보, 조영제주입율, H.U 등 영상증강에 영향을 미치는 인자들을 통계처리 프로그램인 SPSS를 이용하여 최적의 영상을 획득할 수 있는 기초 프로토콜을 작성하였다. 3. 결과 : 폐암환자의 전산화단층촬영영상 획득 시 3차원 방사선치료계획에 적합한 영상을 얻을 수 있는 조건중 조영제주입율은 1.5 mL/sec 이었고, 지연시간은 $60{\sim}70$초이었다. 통계처리를 수행한 결과 환자의 기본정보 및 조영제주입율 등이 영상증강에 영향을 미치는 인자임을 알 수 있었다. 본 연구에서 작성한 기초 프로토콜을 이용하여 3차원 방사선치료계획 시 정확한 종양 및 정상조직 설정이 용이하게 되어 방사선치료 효율을 극대화 할 수 있었다. 4. 결론 : 방사선종양학과에서 3차원 치료계획용 전산화단층촬영 시 사용할 수 있는 기초적인 영상획득 프로토콜을 도출하였고, 향후 더 많은 임상경험과 정량적 평가가 수반된다면 임상에 적극 사용할 수 있을 것이라 사료된다.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.455-467
• /
• 1998

Purpose : To evaluate influences associated with radiation treatment planning obtained with the patient breathing freely. Materials and Methods : We compared reduction or elimination of planning target volume (PTV) margins with 2-D conventional plan with inclusion of PTV margins associated with breathing with 3-D conformal therapy. The respiratory non gated 3-D conformal treatment plans were compared with respiratory gated conventional 2-D plans in 4 patients with hepatocellular carcinomas. Isodose distribution, dose statistics, and dose volume histogram (DVH) of PTVs were used to evaluate differences between respiratory gated conventional 2-D plans and respiratory non gated 3-D conformal treatment plans. In addition. the risk of radiation exposure of surrounding normal liver and organs are evaluated by means of DVH and normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCPs). Results : The vertical movement of liver ranged 2-3 cm in all patients. We found no difference between respiratory gated 2-D plans and 3-D conformal treatment plans with the patients breathing freely. Treatment planning using DVH analysis of PTV and the normal liver was used for all patients. DVH and calculated NTCP showed no difference in respiratory gated 2-D plans and respiratory non gated 3-D conformal treatment plans. Conclusion : Respiratory gated radiation therapy was very important in hepatic tumors because radiation induced hepatitis was dependent on remaining normal liver volume. Further investigational studies for respiratory gated radiation.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.213-219
• /
• 2013

This review paper deals with the current statues of pre-treatment quality assurance conducted for Intensity modulated radiation therapy. Focusing on the issues relevant to two-dimensional verification of absorbed dose distribution, review was made for the papers published during the last 3~4 years. Lastly, the future development direction was projected.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.127-136
• /
• 2010

Emerging technologies such as four-dimensional computed tomography (4D CT) is expected to allow clinicians to accurately model interfractional motion and to quantitatively estimate internal target volumes (ITVs) for radiation therapy involving moving targets. A need exists for a 4D radiation therapy quality assurance (QA) device that can incorporate and analyze the patient specific intrafractional motion as it relate to dose delivery and respiratory gating. We built a 4D RT prototype device and analyzed the patient-specific 4D radiation therapy QA for 2D dose distributions successfully. With more improvements, the 4D RT QA prototype device could be an integral part of a 4D RT decision process to confirm the dose delivery.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.265-274
• /
• 1998

Purpose : This prospective study has been conducted to assess the value of three dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) for lung cancer and to determine its potential advantage over current treatment approaches. Specific aims of this study were to 1) find the most ideal 3DCRT technique 2) establish the maximum tolerance dose that can be delivered with 3DCRT and 3) identify patients at risk for development of radiation pneumonitis. Materials and Methods : Beginning in Nov. 1994, 95 patients with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (stage I; 4, stage II; 1, stage IIIa; 14, stage IIIb; 76) were entered onto this 3D conformal trial Areas of known disease and elective nodal areas were initially treated to 45 Gy and then using 3DCRT technique 65 to 70 Gy of total dose were delivered to the gross disease. Sixty nine patients received 65 Gy of total dose and 26 received 70 Gy Seventy eight patients (82.1$\%$) also received concurrent MVP chemotherapy. 3DCRT plans were compared with 2D plans to assess the adequacy of dose delivery to target volume, dose volume histograms for normal tissue, and normal tissue complication Probabilities (NTCP). Results : Most of plans (78/95) were composed of non-coplanar multiple (4-8) fields. Coplanar segmented conformal therapy was used in 17 pateints, choosing the proper gantry angle which minimize normal lung exposure in each segment. 3DCRT gave the full dose to nearly 100$\%$ of the gross disease target volume in all patients. The mean NTCP for ipsilateral lung with 3DCRT (range; 0.17-0.43) was 68$\%$ of the mean NTCP with 2D treatment planning (range; 0.27-0.66). DVH analysis for heart showed that irradiated volume of heart could be significantly reduced by non-coplanar 3D approach especially in the case of left lower lobe lesion. Of 95 patients evaluable for response, 75 (79$\%$), showed major response including 25 (26$\%$) with complete responses and 50 (53$\%$) with partial responses. One and two rear overall survivals of stage III patients were 62.6$\%$ and 35.2$\%$ respectively. Twenty percent (19/95) of patients had pneumonitis; Eight patients had grade 1 pneumonitis and 11 other patients had grade 2. Comparison of the average of NTCP for lung showed a significant difference between patients with and without radiation pneumonitis. Average NTCP for Patients without complication was 62$\%$ of those with complications. Conclusions : This study showed that non-coplanar multiple fields (4-8) may be one of the ideal plans for 3DCRT for lung cancer. It also suggested that 3DCRT may provide superior delivery of high dose radiation with reduced risk to normal tissue and that NTCP can be used as a guideline for the dose escalation.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.30 no.1_2
• /
• pp.83-95
• /
• 2018

Purpose : After planning the Respiratory Gated Radiotherapy for Lung cancer, the movement and volume change of sparing normal structures nearby target are not often considered during dose evaluation. This study carried out 4-D dose evaluation which reflects the movement of normal structures at certain phase of Respiratory Gated Radiotherapy, by using Deformable Image Registration that is well used for Adaptive Radiotherapy. Moreover, the study discussed the need of analysis and established some recommendations, regarding the normal structures's movement and volume change due to Patient's breathing pattern during evaluation of treatment plans. Materials and methods : The subjects were taken from 10 lung cancer patients who received Respiratory Gated Radiotherapy. Using Eclipse(Ver 13.6 Varian, USA), the structures seen in the top phase of CT image was equally set via Propagation or Segmentation Wizard menu, and the structure's movement and volume were analyzed by Center-to Center method. Also, image from each phase and the dose distribution were deformed into top phase CT image, for 4-dimensional dose evaluation, via VELOCITY Program. Also, Using $QUASAR^{TM}$ Phantom(Modus Medical Devices) and $GAFCHROMIC^{TM}$ EBT3 Film(Ashland, USA), verification carried out 4-D dose distribution for 4-D gamma pass rate. Result : The movement of the Inspiration and expiration phase was the most significant in axial direction of right lung, as $0.989{\pm}0.34cm$, and was the least significant in lateral direction of spinal cord, as -0.001 cm. The volume of right lung showed the greatest rate of change as 33.5 %. The maximal and minimal difference in PTV Conformity Index and Homogeneity Index between 3-dimensional dose evaluation and 4-dimensional dose evaluation, was 0.076, 0.021 and 0.011, 0.0 respectfully. The difference of 0.0045~2.76 % was determined in normal structures, using 4-D dose evaluation. 4-D gamma pass rate of every patients passed reference of 95 % gamma pass rate. Conclusion : PTV Conformity Index was more significant in all patients using 4-D dose evaluation, but no significant difference was observed between two dose evaluations for Homogeneity Index. 4-D dose distribution was shown more homogeneous dose compared to 3D dose distribution, by considering the movement from breathing which helps to fill out the PTV margin area. There was difference of 0.004~2.76 % in 4D evaluation of normal structure, and there was significant difference between two evaluation methods in all normal structures, except spinal cord. This study shows that normal structures could be underestimated by 3-D dose evaluation. Therefore, 4-D dose evaluation with Deformable Image Registration will be considered when the dose change is expected in normal structures due to patient's breathing pattern. 4-D dose evaluation with Deformable Image Registration is considered to be a more realistic dose evaluation method by reflecting the movement of normal structures from patient's breathing pattern.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.26-33
• /
• 2007

[ $\underline{Purpose}$ ]: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the incidence and aspects of myocardial perfusion defects in patients who were subjected to either two-dimensional or three-dimensional simulation techniques for early left-sided breast cancer. The myocardial perfusion defects were determined from using single photon emitted computerized tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion images. $\underline{Materials\;and\;Methods}$: Between January 2002 and August 2003, 32 patients were enrolled in this study. The patients were diagnosed as having early (AJCC stage T1-T2N0M0) left-sided breast cancer and were treated with tangential irradiation after breast-conserving surgery and systemic chemotherapy. The patients were divided into two groups according to the type of simulation received: two-dimensional simulation using an X-ray fluoroscope simulator or three-dimensional simulation with a CT simulator. All patients underwent technetium-99m-sestamibi gated perfusion SPECT at least 3 years after radiotherapy. The incidence and area of myocardial perfusion defects were evaluated and were compared in the two groups, and at the same time left ventricular ejection fraction and cardiac wall motion were also analyzed. The cardiac volume included in the radiation fields was calculated and evaluated to check for a correlation between the amount of irradiated cardiac volume and aspects of myocardial perfusion defects. $\underline{Results}$: A myocardial perfusion defect was detected in 11 of 32 patients (34.4%). There were 7 (46.7%) perfusion defect cases in 15 patients who underwent the two-dimensional simulation technique and 4 (23.5%) patients with perfusion defects in the three-dimensional simulation group (p=0.0312). In 10 of 11 patients who had myocardial perfusion changes, the perfusion defects were observed in the cardiac apex. The left ventricular ejection fraction was within the normal range and cardiac wall motion was normal in all patients. The irradiated cardiac volume of patients in the three-dimensional simulation group was less than that of patients who received the two-dimensional simulation technique, but there was no statistical significance as compared to the incidence of perfusion defects. $\underline{Conclusion}$: Radiotherapy with a CT simulator (three-dimensional simulation technique) for early left-sided breast cancer may reduce the size of the irradiated cardiac volume and the incidence of myocardial perfusion defects. Further investigation and a longer follow-up duration are needed to analyze the relationship between myocardial perfusion defects and clinical ischemic heart disease.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.81-87
• /
• 2006

Purose: This study is to evaluate the xerostomia following 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D CRT) in nasopharynx cancer patients using the xerostomia questionnaire score (XQS). Materials and Methods: Questionnaire study was done on 51 patients with nasopharynx cancer who received 3D CRT from Dec. 2000 to Aug. 2005. 3D CRT technique is based on 'serial shrinking field' concept by 3 times of computed tomography (CT) simulation. Total target dose to the primary tumor was 72 Gy with 1.8 Gy daily fractions. Xerostomia was assessed with 4-questions XQS, and the associations between XQS and time elapsed after RT, age, sex, stage, concurrent chemotherapy, and parotid dose were analyzed. Results: Concurrent chemotherapy was given to 40 patients and RT alone was given to 11 patients. The median time elapsed after 3D CRT was 20 ($1{\sim}58$) months and the mean XQS of all 51 patients was $8.4{\pm}1.9\;(6{\sim}14)$. XQS continuously and significantly decreased over time after 3D CRT ($X^2$=-0.484, p<0.05). There was no significant difference in XQS according to sex, age, and stag. However, XQS of concurrent chemotherapy patients was significantly higher than RT alone patients (P=0.001). XQS of patients receiving total mean parotid dose ${\ge}35 Gy$ was significantly higher than <35 Gy (p=0.05). Decreasing tendency of XQS over time after 3D CRT was observed. Concurrent chemotherapy and total mean parotid dose ${\ge}35 Gy$ were suggested to adversely affect radiation-induced xerostomia.