• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.105-109
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• 2020

Intensity-modulated radiotherapy(IMRT) has disadvantages such as increasing the low doses of irradiation to normal tissues and accumulated dose for the whole volume by leakage and transmission of the Multi Leaf Collimator (MLC). The accumulated dose and low dose may increase the occurrence of secondary malignant neoplasms. For this reasons, the jaw tracking function of the TrueBeam (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA) was developed to reduce the leakage and transmission dose of the MLC with existing linear accelerators. But quantitative analysis of the dose reduction has not been verified. Therefore, in the present study, we intended to verify the clinical possibility of utilizing the jaw tracking function in brain tumor with comparison of treatment plans. To accomplish this, 3 types of original treatment plans were made using Eclipse11 (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA): 1) beyond 2 cm distance from the Organs At Risk (OARs); 2) within 2 cm distance from the OARs; and 3) intersecting with the OARs. Jaw tracking treatment plans were also made with copies of the original treatment planning using Smart LMC Version 11.0.31 (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA). A comparison between the 2 types of treatment planning methods was performed using the difference of the mean dose and maximum dose to the OARs in cumulative Dose Volume Histogram (DVH). In the DVH comparison, the maximum difference of 0.5 % was observed between the planning methods in the case of over 2 cm distance, and the maximum of 0.6 % was obtained for within the 2 cm distance. For the case intersecting with the OAR, the maximum difference of 2 % was achieved. According to these results, it could be realized that the differences of mean dose and maximum dose to the OARs was larger when the OARs and PTV were closer. Therefore, treatment plans with the jaw tracking function consistently affected the dose reduction and the clinical possibility could be verified.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.179-186
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• 2016

Purpose : To figure out if the treatment plan for rectum, bladder and prostate that have a lot of interfraction errors satisfies dosimetric limits without adaptive plan by analyzing MR image. Materials and Methods : This study was based on 5 prostate cancer patients who had IMRT(total dose: 70Gy) Using ViewRay MRIdian System(ViewRay, ViewRay Inc., Cleveland, OH, USA) The treatment plans were made on the same CT images to compare with the plan quality according to adaptive plan, and the Eclipse(Ver 10.0.42, Varian, USA) was used. After registrate the 5 treatment MR images to the CT images for treatment plan to analyze the interfraction changes of organ, we measured the dose volume histogram and the changes of the absolute volume for each organ by appling the first treatment plan to each image. Over 5 fractions, the total dose for PTV was $V_{36.25}$ Gy $${\geq_-}$$ 95%. To confirm that the prescription dose satisfies the SBRT dose limit for prostate, we measured $V_{100%}$, $V_{95%}$, $V_{90%}$ for CTV and $V_{100%}$, $V_{90%}$, $V_{80%}$ $V_{50%}$ of rectum and bladder. Results : All dose average value of CTV, rectum and bladder satisfied dose limit, but there was a case that exceeded dose limit more than one after analyzing the each image of treatment. After measuring the changes of absolute volume comparing the MR image of the first treatment plan with the one of the interfraction treatment, the difference values were maximum 1.72 times at rectum and maximum 2.0 times at bladder. In case of rectum, the expected values were planned under the dose limit, on average, $V_{100%}=0.32%$, $V_{90%}=3.33%$, $V_{80%}=7.71%$, $V_{50%}=23.55%$ in the first treatment plan. In case of rectum, the average of absolute volume in first plan was 117.9 cc. However, the average of really treated volume was 79.2 cc. In case of CTV, the 100% prescription dose area didn't satisfy even though the margin for PTV was 5 mm because of the variation of rectal and bladder volume. Conclusion : There was no case that the value from average of five fractions is over the dosimetric limits. However, dosimetric errors of rectum and bladder in each fraction was significant. Therefore, the precise delivery is needed in case of prostate SBRT. The real-time tracking and adaptive plan is necessary to meet the precision delivery.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.238-248
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• 2010

Purpose: To compare the dose distributions between three-dimensional (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) radiation treatment plans calculated by Ray-tracing or the Monte Carlo algorithm, and to highlight the difference of dose calculation between two algorithms for lung heterogeneity correction in lung cancers. Materials and Methods: Prospectively gated 4D CTs in seven patients were obtained with a Brilliance CT64-Channel scanner along with a respiratory bellows gating device. After 4D treatment planning with the Ray Tracing algorithm in Multiplan 3.5.1, a CyberKnife stereotactic radiotherapy planning system, 3D Ray Tracing, 3D and 4D Monte Carlo dose calculations were performed under the same beam conditions (same number, directions, monitor units of beams). The 3D plan was performed in a primary CT image setting corresponding to middle phase expiration (50%). Relative dose coverage, D95 of gross tumor volume and planning target volume, maximum doses of tumor, and the spinal cord were compared for each plan, taking into consideration the tumor location. Results: According to the Monte Carlo calculations, mean tumor volume coverage of the 4D plans was 4.4% higher than the 3D plans when tumors were located in the lower lobes of the lung, but were 4.6% lower when tumors were located in the upper lobes of the lung. Similarly, the D95 of 4D plans was 4.8% higher than 3D plans when tumors were located in the lower lobes of lung, but was 1.7% lower when tumors were located in the upper lobes of lung. This tendency was also observed at the maximum dose of the spinal cord. Lastly, a 30% reduction in the PTV volume coverage was observed for the Monte Carlo calculation compared with the Ray-tracing calculation. Conclusion: 3D and 4D robotic radiotherapy treatment plans for lung cancers were compared according to a dosimetric viewpoint for a tumor and the spinal cord. The difference of tumor dose distributions between 3D and 4D treatment plans was only significant when large tumor movement and deformation was suspected. Therefore, 4D treatment planning is only necessary for large tumor motion and deformation. However, a Monte Carlo calculation is always necessary, independent of tumor motion in the lung.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.187-192
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• 2013

Purpose: We investigate the results of changed heart volume and heart dose in the left breast cancer patients while considering the movements of respiration. Materials and Methods: During the months of March and May in 2012, we designated the 10 patients who had tangential irradiation with left breast cancer in the department of radiation Oncology. With acquired images of free breathing pattern through 3D and 4D CT, we had planed enough treatment filed for covered up the whole left breast. It compares the results of the exposed dose and the volume of heart by DVH (Dose Volume histogram). Although total dose was 50.4 Gy (1.8 Gy/28 fraction), reirradiated 9 Gy (1.8 Gy/5 Fraction) with PTV (Planning Target Volume) if necessary. Results: It compares the results of heart volume and heart dose with the free breathing in 3D CT and 4D CT. It represents the maximum difference volume of heart is 40.5%. In addition, it indicated the difference volume of maximum and minimum, average are 8.8% and 27.9%, 37.4% in total absorbed dose of heart. Conclusion: In case of tangential irradiation (opposite beam) in left breast cancer patients, it is necessary to consider the changed heart volume by the respiration of patient and the heartbeat of patient.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.166-176
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• 2010

Purpose: To determine the appropriate prostate planning target volume (PTV) margins for 3-dimensitional (3D) conformal radiotherapy (CRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) patients treated with an endorectal balloon (ERB) under our institutional treatment condition. Materials and Methods: Patients were treated in the supine position. An ERB was inserted into the rectum with 70 cc air prior to planning a CT scan and then each treatment fraction. Electronic portal images (EPIs) and digital reconstructed radiographs (DRR) of planning CT images were used to evaluate inter-fractional patient's setup and ERB errors. To register both image sets, we developed an in-house program written in visual $C^{++}$. A new method to determine prostate PTV margins with an ERB was developed by using the common method. Results: The mean value of patient setup errors was within 1 mm in all directions. The ERB inter-fractional errors in the superior-inferior (SI) and anterior-posterior (AP) directions were larger than in the left-right (LR) direction. The calculated 1D symmetric PTV margins were 3.0 mm, 8.2 mm, and 8.5 mm for 3D CRT and 4.1 mm, 7.9 mm, and 10.3 mm for IMRT in LR, SI, and AP, respectively according to the new method including ERB random errors. Conclusion: The ERB random error contributes to the deformation of the prostate, which affects the original treatment planning. Thus, a new PTV margin method includes dose blurring effects of ERB. The correction of ERB systematic error is a prerequisite since the new method only accounts for ERB random error.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.1061-1065
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• 2013

Objective: To investigate the treatment effect of additional information obtained by single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) lung perfusion imaging (LPI) in the radiotherapy planning process for patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: 39 patients with stage III NSCLC were enrolled. Gross tumor volume (GTV) was outlined by SPECT/CT images, SPECT-LPIs being used to define functional lung (FL) and non-functional lung (NFL) regions. Two sets of IMRT plans were designed to deliver 64Gy to PTV. One was a regular IMRT plan using CT images only (Plan 1), and the other was a corresponding IMRT plan using co-registered images (Plan 2). $FL_{Vx}$ (the % volume of functional lung receiving ${\geq}$x Gy) and $WL_{Vx}$ (% volume of whole lung to receive ${\geq}$x Gy) were compared by paired Student's t test. Kendalls correlation was used to analyze the factor (s) related with the FLV20 decrease. Results: Compared with plan 1, both $WL_{Vx}$ and $FL_{Vx}$ were decreased in plan 2. $WL_{V10}$, $WL_{V15}$, $WL_{V20}$, $WL_{V25}$, $WL_{V30}$ and $WL_{V35}$ decreased 9.7%, 13.8%, 17.2%, 12.9%, 9.8% and 9.8%, and $FL_{V10}$, $FL_{V15}$, $FL_{V20}$, $FL_{V25}$, $FL_{V30}$ and $FL_{V35}$ decreased 10.8%, 14.6%, 17.3%, 14.5%, 14.5% and 10.5%. $FL_{Vx}$ decreased significantly compared with $WL_{Vx}$. There were significant differences in $WL_{V10}$, $WL_{V15}$, $WL_{V20}$, $WL_{V25}$, $WL_{V3}$ and $FL_{V10}$, $FL_{V15}$, $FL_{V20}$, $FL_{V25}$, $FL_{V30}$ between plan 1 and plan 2 (P=0.002, 0.000, 0.000, 0.005, 0.027 and 0.002, 0.000, 0.000, 0.006, 0.010). According to Kendall correlation analysis, NFL had a negative relation with the percentage FLV20 decrease (r=-0.559, P<0.01), while the distance of PTV and NFL center had a significantly positive relation with the percentage of FLV20 decrease (r=0.768, P<0.01). Conclusion: Routine use of SPECT-LPI for patients undergoing radiotherapy planning for stage III NSCLC appears warranted.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.233-239
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• 2016

Comparison of the dose aspect that radiation therapy treatments using IMRT, tomotherapy, mArc (modulated arc therapy). The experimental subject is non-small cell lung cancer patient. The prescription dose is 58.0 Gy to the volume of PTV(planning target volume). and spinal cord, esophagus, and liver organ is the normal organ(OAR, organ at risk). Average PTV value is 57.60 Gy in mArc and 61.04 Gy in tomotherapy and 58.95 Gy in IMRT. The average dose of the Esophagus is 2.84 Gy in m-Arc, 5.14 Gy in tomotherapy, 1.84 Gy in IMRT. The average dose of the Liver is 19.44 Gy in m-Arc, 12.22 Gy in tomotherapy, 21.97 Gy in IMRT. The average dose of the Spinal cord is 5.72 Gy in m-Arc, 7.08 Gy in tomotherapy, 6.15 Gy in IMRT. Results of this study is no significant difference between mArc and tomotherapy and Linac based IMRT in dose study and also, mArc's dose coverage and dose volume histogram is better than IMRT and tomotherapy. but, This study is limited to a disease of cancer. in addition, fewer number of groups. The wide range the more research can be developed patient-specific treatment techniques and be applied to the patients

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.145-156
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• 2015

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of Split VMAT planning(Contouring rectum divided into an upper and a lower for reduce rectum dose) compare to Conventional VMAT planning(Contouring whole rectum) for prostate cancer radiotherapy involving pelvic lymph nodes. Materials and Methods : A total of 9 cases were enrolled. Each case received radiotherapy with Split VMAT planning to the prostate involving pelvic lymph nodes. Treatment was delivered using TrueBeam STX(Varian Medical Systems, USA) and planned on Eclipse(Ver. 10.0.42, Varian, USA), PRO3(Progressive Resolution Optimizer 10.0.28), AAA(Anisotropic Analytic Algorithm Ver. 10.0.28). Lower rectum contour was defined as starting 1cm superior and ending 1cm inferior to the prostate PTV, upper rectum is a part, except lower rectum from the whole rectum. Split VMAT plan parameters consisted of 10MV coplanar $360^{\circ}$ arcs. Each arc had $30^{\circ}$ and $30^{\circ}$ collimator angle, respectively. An SIB(Simultaneous Integrated Boost) treatment prescription was employed delivering 50.4Gy to pelvic lymph nodes and 63~70Gy to the prostate in 28 fractions. $D_{mean}$ of whole rectum on Split VMAT plan was applied for DVC(Dose Volume Constraint) of the whole rectum for Conventional VMAT plan. In addition, all parameters were set to be the same of existing treatment plans. To minimize the dose difference that shows up randomly on optimizing, all plans were optimized and calculated twice respectively using a 0.2cm grid. All plans were normalized to the prostate $PTV_{100%}$ = 90% or 95%. A comparison of $D_{mean}$ of whole rectum, upperr ectum, lower rectum, and bladder, $V_{50%}$ of upper rectum, total MU and H.I.(Homogeneity Index) and C.I.(Conformity Index) of the PTV was used for technique evaluation. All Split VMAT plans were verified by gamma test with portal dosimetry using EPID. Results : Using DVH analysis, a difference between the Conventional and the Split VMAT plans was demonstrated. The Split VMAT plan demonstrated better in the $D_{mean}$ of whole rectum, Up to 134.4 cGy, at least 43.5 cGy, the average difference was 75.6 cGy and in the $D_{mean}$ of upper rectum, Up to 1113.5 cGy, at least 87.2 cGy, the average difference was 550.5 cGy and in the $D_{mean}$ of lower rectum, Up to 100.5 cGy, at least -34.6 cGy, the average difference was 34.3 cGy and in the $D_{mean}$ of bladder, Up to 271 cGy, at least -55.5 cGy, the average difference was 117.8 cGy and in $V_{50%}$ of upper rectum, Up to 63.4%, at least 3.2%, the average difference was 23.2%. There was no significant difference on H.I., and C.I. of the PTV among two plans. The Split VMAT plan is average 77 MU more than another. All IMRT verification gamma test results for the Split VMAT plan passed over 90.0% at 2 mm / 2%. Conclusion : As a result, the Split VMAT plan appeared to be more favorable in most cases than the Conventional VMAT plan for prostate cancer radiotherapy involving pelvic lymph nodes. By using the split VMAT planning technique it was possible to reduce the upper rectum dose, thus reducing whole rectal dose when compared to conventional VMAT planning. Also using the split VMAT planning technique increase the treatment efficiency.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2015

Purpose : The dose distribution of organ at risk (OAR) and normal tissue is affected by treatment technique in postoperative radiation therapy for prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to compare dose distribution characteristic and to evaluate treatment efficiency by devising VMAT plans according to applying differed number of arc and IMRT plan for postoperative patient of prostate cancer radiation therapy using a rectal balloon. Materials and Methods : Ten patients who received postoperative prostate radiation therapy in our hospital were compared. CT images of patients who inserted rectal balloon were acquired with 3 mm thickness and 10 MV energy of HD120MLC equipped Truebeam STx (Varian, Palo Alto, USA) was applied by using Eclipse (Version 11.0, Varian, Palo Alto, USA). 1 Arc, 2 Arc VMAT plans and 7-field IMRT plan were devised for each patient and same values were applied for dose volume constraint and plan normalization. To evaluate these plans, PTV coverage, conformity index (CI) and homogeneity index (HI) were compared and $R_{50%}$ was calculated to assess low dose spillage as per treatment plan. $D_{25%}$ of rectum and bladder Dmean were compared on OAR. And to evaluate the treatment efficiency, total monitor units(MU) and delivery time were considered. Each assessed result was analyzed by average value of 10 patients. Additionally, portal dosimetry was carried out for accuracy verification of beam delivery. Results : There was no significant difference on PTV coverage and HI among 3 plans. Especially CI and $R_{50%}$ on 7F-IMRT were the highest as 1.230, 3.991 respectively(p=0.00). Rectum $D_{25%}$ was similar between 1A-VMAT and 2A-VMAT. But approximately 7% higher value was observed on 7F-IMRT compare to the others(p=0.02) and bladder Dmean were similar among the all plan(P>0.05). Total MU were 494.7, 479.7, 757.9 respectively(P=0.00) for 1A-VMAT, 2A-VMAT, 7F-IMRT and at the most on 7F-IMRT. The delivery time were 65.2sec, 133.1sec, 145.5sec respectively(p=0.00). The obvious shortest time was observed on 1A-VMAT. All plans indicated over 99.5%(p=0.00) of gamma pass rate (2 mm, 2%) in portal dosimetry quality assurance. Conclusion : As a result of study, postoperative prostate cancer radiation therapy for patient using a rectal balloon, there was no significant difference of PTV coverage but 1A-VMAT and 2A-VMAT were more efficient for dose reduction of normal tissue and OARs. Between VMAT plans. $R_{50%}$ and MU were little lower in 2A-VMAT but 1A-VMAT has the shortest delivery time. So it is regarded to be an effective plan and it can reduce intra-fractional motion of patient also.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.57-68
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT) with fixed-field intensity modulated radiation therapy(IMRT) using non-coplanar beam when the shape of target is irregular and the location is adjacent to organ at risk(OAR). Materials and Methods: The subjects of this study were a total of 6 patients who had radiation therapy for whole scalp(2 patients), partial scalp(2 patients), and whole ventricle(2 patients) by True Beam STX(Varian Medical Systems, USA). VMAT plans consisted of coplanar or non-coplanar arcs which can minimize the volume of OAR included in beamlets. All fixed-field IMRT plans consisted of non-coplanar beams using more than 2 angles of Couch. Results: The VMAT and IMRT plans were compared with regard to the maximum dose of both lens, both optic nerves, optic chiasm, and brain stem and the mean dose of both eyeballs and hippocampus. VMAT plans showed higher dose than ncIMRT plans at more than 6 of all OARs in every patient, and the ratio was from 1.1 times to 8.2 times. In case of total scalp and partial scalp, the volume of brain which received more than 20 Gy in the VMAT plans was 2 times larger than the volume in the ncIMRT plans. In case of whole ventricle, there was no significant difference. Target coverage was satisfied in both plans($PTV_{100%}=95%$). The maximum dose in target volume and required monitor unit(MU) of ncIMRT were higher than them of VMAT plans. Conclusion: Even though ncIMRT is less efficient than VMAT with regard to required MU and treatment time, the dose to OARs is much lower than VMAT and PTV Coverage is similar with VMAT. If the shape of target is irregular and location is adjacent to OAR, comparison VMAT plan with ncIMRT plan deserves to be considered.