• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.181-189
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• 2017

The conventional delivery quality assurance (DQA) process for RapidArc (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, USA), has the limitation that it measures and analyzes the dose in a phantom material and cannot analyze the dosimetric changes under the motional organ condition. In this study, a DQA method was designed to overcome the limitations of the conventional DQA process for internal target volume (ITV) based RapidArc. The dynamic DQA measurement device was designed with a moving phantom that can simulate variable target motions. The dose distribution in the real volume of the target and organ-at-risk (OAR)s were reconstructed using 3DVH with the ArcCHECK (SunNuclear, Melbourne, USA) measurement data under the dynamic condition. A total of 10 ITV-based RapidArc plans for liver-cancer patients were analyzed with the designed dynamic DQA process. The average pass rate of gamma evaluation was $81.55{\pm}9.48%$ when the DQA dose was measured in the respiratory moving condition of the patient. Appropriate method was applied to correct the effect of moving phantom structures in the dose calculation, and DVH data of the real volume of target and OARs were created with the recalculated dose by the 3DVH program. We confirmed the valid dose coverage of a real target volume in the ITV-based RapidArc. The variable difference of the DVH of the OARs showed that dose variation can occur differently according to the location, shape, size and motion range of the target. The DQA process devised in this study can effectively evaluate the DVH of the real volume of the target and OARs in a respiratory moving condition in addition to the simple verification of the accuracy of the treatment machine. This can be helpful to predict the prognosis of treatment by the accurate dose analysis in the real target and OARs.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.6-16
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• 2006

The goal of this study was to develop new indices for effectively evaluating the dose coverage and homogeneity based on the target-volume dose-volume histogram (TV-DVH) of intensity-modulated radio-therapy treatment plans. A new coverage Index and a new homogeneity index were developed by integrating a modified TV-DVH and by fitting a TV-DVH with a modified step function, respectively. The coverage index, named the l-index, indicates whether the dose coverage for the target volume is adequate based on user-defined criteria. A lower l-index indicates higher dose coverage of the tumor volume. The index for assessing dose homogeneity in a target volume, named the n-index, is more accurate than the conventional method in evaluating the dose homogeneity in a tumor volume. The baseline treatment plan for a target volume coverage and homogeneity is discussed. The proposed simple indices have been demonstrated to be effective in evaluating the dose coverage and homogeneity for TV-DVHs.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.41-52
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• 2003

I. Purpose The dose distribution in normal tissues and target lesions is very important in the treatment planning. To make the uniform dose distribution in target lesions, many methods has been used. Especially in the head and neck, the dose inhomogeneity at the skin surface should be corrected. Conventional methods have a limitation in delivering the enough doses to the planning target volume (PTV) with minimized dose to the parotid gland and spinal cord. In this study, we investigated the feasibility and the practical QA methods of the forward IMRT. II. Material and Methods The treatment plan of the forward IMRT with the partial block technique using the dynamic multi-leaf collimator (dMLC) for the patients with the nasopharyngeal cancer was verified using the dose volume histogram (DVH). The films and pinpoint chamber were used for the accurate dose verification. III. Results As a result of verifying the DVH for the 2-D treatment plan with the forward IMRT, the dose to the both parotid gland and spinal cord were reduced. So the forward IMRT could save the normal tissues and optimize the treatment. Forward IMRT can use the 3-D treatment planning system and easily assure the quality, so it is easily accessible comparing with inverse IMRT IV. Conclusion The forward IMRT could make the uniform dose in the PTV while maintaining under the tolerance dose in the normal tissues comparing with the 2-D treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.113-122
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• 2007

Purpose: We proposed the method using dose-volume Histogram index to compare prospective plan trials in tomotherapy planning optimization. Materials and Methods: For 3 patients in cranial region, thorax and abdominal region, we acquired computed tomography images with PQ 5000 in each case. Then we delineated target structure and normal organ contour with pinnacle Ver 7.6c, after transferred each data to tomotherapy planning system (hi-art system Ver 2.0), we optimized 3 plan trials in each case that used differ from beam width, pitch, importance. We analyzed 3 plan trials in each region with isodose distribution, dose-volume histogram and dose statistics. Also we verified 3 plan trials with specialized DVH-indexes that is dose homogeneity index in target organ, conformity index around target structure and dose gradient index in non-target structures. Results: We compared with the similarity of results that the one is decide the best plan trial using isodose distribution, dose volume histogram and dose statistics, and the another is using DVH-indexes. They all decided the same plan trial to better result in each case. Conclusion: In some of case, it was appeared a little difference of results that used to DVH-index for comparison of plan trial in tomotherapy by special goal in it. But because DVH-index represented both dose distribution in target structure and high dose risk about normal tissue, it will be reasonable method for comparison of many plan trials before the tomotherapy treatments.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.243-249
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• 1997

Purpose : In radiation therapy, NTCF is very importart indicator of selecting the optimal treatment plan. In our study, we tried to find out usefullness of NTCP in lung cancer by comparng the incidence of radiation pneumonitis with NTCP. Materials and Methods : From August 1993 to December 1994, thirty six patients with locally advanced non=small cell lung cancer were treated by concurrent chemoradiation therapy. Total dose of radiation therapy was 6480cGy (120cGy, bid) and chemotherapeutlc agents were mitomycin C. vinblastion, cisplatin (2 cycles, 4 weeks interval). We evaluated the development of raniation pneumonitis by CT scan, chest x-rar and clinical symptoms. We used grading system of South Western Oncology Group (SWOG) for radiation pneumanitis. Dose Volume Histograms (DVH) were analyzed for ipsilateral and whole lung, Non uniform DVH was translated to uniform DVH by effective volume method. With these data, we calculated NTCP for ipsilateral and whole lung. Finally we compared the clinical results to NTCP. Results : Eight of thrity six patients developed radiation pneumonitis. Of these 8 patients , 6 had grade I severity and 2 had grade II. The average NTCP value cf the patients who showed radiation pneumonitis was significantly higher than that uf the patients without pneumonitis $(66\%\;vs.\;26.4\%)$. But the results of pulmonary function test was not correlated with NTCP. Conclusion : NTCP of lung is very good indicator for selecting rival treatment planning in lung cancer. According to the results of NTCP, it may be possible to adjust target volume and optimize target dose. In the near future, we are going to anaiyze the effect of hyperfractionation and concurrent chemotherapy in addition to NTCP.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.129-134
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• 2002

The radiosurgery is planned that prescribed dose was irradiated to tumor for obtaining expected remedial value in stereotactic radiosurgery. The planning for many irregular tumor shape requires long computation time and skilled planners. Due to the rapid development in computer power recently, many optimization methods using computer has been proposed, although the practical method is still trial and error type of plan. In this study, many beam variables were considered and many tumor shapes were assumed cylinderical ideal models. Then, beam variables that covered the target within 50％ isodose curve were searched, the result was compared and analysed. The beam variables considered were isocenter separation distance, number of isocenters and collimator size. Dose distributions obtained with these variables were analysed by dose volume histogram(DVH) and dose profile at orthogonal plane. According to the results compared, the use of more isocenters than specified isocenter dosen't improve DVH and dose profile but only increases complexity of plan. The best result of DVH and dose profile are obtainedwhen isocenter separation was 1.0-1.2 in using same number of isocenter.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2006.08a
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• pp.121-121
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• 2006

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.3945-3949
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• 2015

Background: For brachytherapy of cervical cancer, applicator shifts can not be avoided. The present investigation concerned Utrecht interstitial applicator shifts and their effects on organ movement and DVH parameters during 3D CT-based HDR brachytherapy of cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: After the applicator being implanted, CT imaging was achieved for oncologist contouring CTVhr, CTVir, and OAR, including bladder, rectum, sigmoid colon and small intestines. After the treatment, CT imaging was repeated to determine applicator shifts and OARs movements. Two CT images were matched by pelvic structures. In both imaging results, we defined the tandem by the tip and the base as the marker point, and evaluated applicator shift, including X, Y and Z. Based on the repeated CT imaging, oncologist contoured the target volume and OARs again. We combined the treatment plan with the repeated CT imaging and evaluated the change range for the doses of CTVhr D90, D2cc of OARs. Results: The average applicator shift was -0.16 mm to 0.10 mm for X, 1.49 mm to 2.14 mm for Y, and 1.9 mm to 2.3 mm for Z. The change of average physical doses and EQD2 values in Gy${\alpha}/{\beta}$ range for CTVhr D90 decreased by 2.55 % and 3.5 %, bladder D2cc decreased by 5.94 % and 8.77 %, rectum D2cc decreased by 2.94 % and 4 %, sigmoid colon D2cc decreased by 3.38 % and 3.72 %, and small intestines D2cc increased by 3.72 % and 10.94 %. Conclusions: Applicator shifts and DVH parameter changes induced the total dose inaccurately and could not be ignored. The doses of target volume and OARs varied inevitably.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.95-103
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• 2005

Purpose : In the radiosurgery, to obtain CT image to find more accurate tumor position during respiration, and using them, to increase the accuracy of radiation treatment by applying image guided. Materials and Methods : Using the self-made vacuum cushion for the body SRS, CT images were obtained three for each patient during respiration (shallow, inhalation, exhalation). They were transformed to the RTP computer and then were fused. Global GTVs were delineated on the fused images and more appropriated treatment planning was established. Results : We can find the tumor position is moving toward cranio-caudal with max 10 mm margin and volume is transformed. As a result from the comparision of DVH (pre & post radio surgery), we observed about 100% dose to tumor. Conclusion : BSRS was skeptical due to the tumor movement during respiration. More accurate by the combination of the development of immobilization devices and BSRS based on Image Guide, it will be applied to more cases for BSRS.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.319-326
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• 2001

Purpose : Planning target volume (PTV) for tumors in abdomen or thorax includes enough margin for breathing-related movement of tumor volumes during treatment. Depending on the location of the tumor, the magnitude of PTV margin extends from 10 mm to 30 mm, which increases substantial volume of the irradiated normal tissue hence, resulting in increase of normal tissue complication probability (NTCP). We developed a simple and handy method which can reduce PTV margins in patients with liver tumors, respiratory motion reduction device (RRD). Materials and methods : For 10 liver cancer patients, the data of internal organ motion were obtained by examining the diaphragm motion under fluoroscope. It was tested for both supine and prone position. A RRD was made using MeV-Green and Styrofoam panels and then applied to the patients. By analyzing the diaphragm movement from patients with RRD, the magnitude of PTV margin was determined and dose volume histogram (DVH) was computed using AcQ-Plan, a treatment planning software. Dose to normal tissue between patients with RRD and without RRD was analyzed by comparing the fraction of the normal liver receiving to $50\%$ of the isocenter dose. DVH and NTCP for normal liver and adjacent organs were also evaluated. Results : When patients breathed freely, average movement of diaphragm was $12{\pm}1.9\;mm$ in prone position in contrast to $16{\pm}1.9\;mm$ in supine position. In prone position, difference in diaphragm movement with and without RRD was $3{\pm}0.9\;mm$ and 12 mm, respectively, showing that PTV margins could be reduced to as much as 9 mm. With RRD, volume of the irradiated normal liver reduced up to $22.7\%$ in DVH analysis. Conclusion : Internal organ motion due to breathing can be reduced using RRD, which is simple and easy to use in clinical setting. It can reduce the organ motion-related PTV margin, thereby decrease volume of the irradiated normal tissue.