• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.323-331
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• 2010

The Hi-Art system for TomoTherapy allows only three (1.0 cm, 2.5 cm, 5.0 cm) field widths and this can produce different dose distribution around the end of PTV (Planning target volume) in the direction of jaw movement. In this study, we investigated the effect of field width on the dose difference around the PTV using DQA (Delivery quality assurance) phantom and real clinical patient cases. In the analysis with DQA phantom, the calculated dose and irradiated films showed that the more dose was widely spreaded out in the end region of PTV as increase of field width. The 2.5 cm field width showed a 1.6 cm wider dose profile and the 5.0 cm field width showed a 4.2 cm wider dose profile compared with the 1.0 cm field width in the region of 50% of maximum dose. The analysis with four patient cases also showed the similar results with the DQA phantom which means that more dose was irradiated around the superior and inferior end of PTV as an increase of field width. The 5.0 cm field width produced the remarkable high dose distribution around the end region of PTV and we could evaluate the effect quantitatively with the calculation of DVH (Dose volume histogram) of the virtual PTVs which were delineated around the end of PTV in the direction of jaw variation. From these results, we could verify that the margin for PTV in the direction of table movement should be reduced compared with the conventional margin for PTV when the large field such as 5.0 cm was used in TomoTherapy.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.38-38
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• 2003

목적 : 방사선 수술의 목적은 병소에 최대한의 방사선을 조사하고, 주위의 정상조직에는 가능한 적은 양의 방사선을 조사하는 것이다. 이러한 목적을 만족시키기 위해 방사선 수술계획자는 계획시 isocenter의 위치와 개수, 콜리메이터 크기를 변화시켜 가며, 주어진 병소에 맞는 선량분포를 획득해 방사선 수술효과를 최대화시키는 수술계획을 수립한다. 본 연구에서는 다양한 모양의 병소에 대해 자동적으로 isocenter를 위치시켜 수술 계획시 도움이 될 수 있도록 임의의 병소 모델들에 대해 위의 변수들을 변화시켜 가며 얻어지는 선량분포를 비교 분석하였다. 방법 : 본 연구에서는 임의로 정의한 계산 영역내에 다면체를 병소로 가정하여 연구를 수행하였다. 방사선 수술시 하나의 isocenter에서 얻어지는 선량분포는 구형으로 근사할 수 있으므로 하나의 isocenter를 구로 근사하여, 각 병소 모델 내에 콜리메이터 크기를 변화해가며 가능한 많은 영역을 포함하도록 isocenter를 배치시켰다. 이후 구형선량모델을 사용해 선량분포를 획득하여 병소와 정상조직간의 DVH(Dose Volume histogram)와 각 병소 모델에 대한 통일 평면상의 선량분포를 비교 분석하였다. 결과 ; 임의의 다양한 종양 모델에 대한 50%의 등선량 곡선내에서 세 가지의 빔관련 변수들을 변화시킨 결과, 종양이 없는 정상 조직에서는 선량분포가 극히 낮았으며, 콜리메이터의 크기에 따른 isocenter 의 개수가 변화하는 것을 확인할 수 있었고, 이 경우 한 종양모델에서의 깊이에 따른 선량 분포는 크게 차이가 나지 않았다. 그리고, isocenter의 개수가 변화함에 따라 선량곡선이 변하는 것을 확인할 수 있었다. 결론 : 빔관련 변수인 콜리메이터 크기, isocenter 개수, 거리등은 어느 일정 정도를 넘기면, 병소내 선량 분포에 크게 기여하지 않는다는 점을 감안하여 빔관련 변수들을 최소로 고려하므로써 계획시 소모되는 시간 과 노력을 많이 줄일 수 있을 것이며, 또한 각 병소 모델에 대한 최적의 구형선량모델에서 공통적인 규칙성을 찾는 것과 실제 병소의 모양을 간단한 모양으로 근사화 시킨다면 자동적 선량모델을 이루는데 많은 도움이 되고, 이로 인해 효율적인 치료계획작업이 이루어질 것이라 사료된다.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2000

Purpose : Although using the high energy Photon beam with conventional Parallel-opposed beams radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, radiation-induced xerostomia is a troublesome problem for patients. We conducted this study to explore a new parotid gland sparing technique in 3-D conformal radiotherapy (3-D CRT) in an effort to prevent the radiation-induced xerostomia. Materials and Methods : We peformed three different planning for four clinically node-negative nasopharyngeal cancer patients with different location of tumor(intracranial extension, nasal cavity extension, oropharyngeal extension, parapharyngeal extension), and intercompared the plans. Total prescription dose was 70.2 Gy to the isocenter. For plan-A, 2-D parallel opposing fields, a conventional radiotherapy technique, were employed. For plan-B, 2-D parallel opposing fields were used up until 54 Gy and afterwards 3-D non-coplanar beams were used. For plan-C, the new technique, 54 Gy was delivered by 3-D conformal 3-port beams (AP and both lateral ports with wedge compensator; shielding both superficial lobes of parotid glands at the AP beam using BEV) from the beginning of the treatment and early spinal cord block (at 36 Gy) was peformed. And bilateral posterior necks were treated with electron after 36 Gy. After 54 Gy, non-coplanar beams were used for cone-down plan. We intercompared dose statistics (Dmax, Dmin, Dmean, D95, DO5, V95, VOS, Volume receiving 46 Gy) and dose volume histograms (DVH) of tumor and normal tissues and NTCP values of parotid glands for the above three plans. Results : For all patients, the new technique (plan-C) was comparable or superior to the other plans in target volume isodose distribution and dose statistics and it has more homogenous target volume coverage. The new technique was most superior to the other plans in parotid glands sparing (volume receiving 46 Gy: 100, 98, 69$\%$ for each plan-A, B and C). And it showed the lowest NTCP value of parotid glands in all patients (range of NTCP; 96$\~$100$\%$, 79$\~$99$\%$, 51$\~$72$\%$ for each plan-A, B and C). Conclusion : We conclude that the new technique employing 3-D conformal radiotherapy at the beginning of radiotherapy and cone down using non-coplanar beams with early spinal cord block is highly recommended to spare parotid glands for node-negative nasopharygeal cancer patients.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.37-48
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• 2017

Purpose: The most basic conditions of radiation therapy is to prevent unnecessary exposure of normal tissue. The risk factors that are important o evaluate the dose emitted to the lung and heart from radiation therapy for breast cancer. Therefore, comparing the dose factors of a normal tissue according to the radion treatment position and Seeking an effective radiation treatment for breast cancer through the analysis of the correlation relationship. Materials and Methods: Computed tomography was conducted among 30 patients with left breast cancer in supine and prone position. Eclipse Treatment Planning System (Ver.11) was established by computerized treatment planning. Using the DVH compared the incident dose to normal tissue by position. Based on the result, Using the SPSS (ver.18) analyzed the dose in each normal tissue factors and Through the correlation analysis between variables, independent sample test examined the association. Finally The HI, CI value were compared Using the MIRADA RTx (ver. ad 1.6) in the supine, prone position Results: The results of computerized treatment planning of breast cancer in the supine position were V20, $16.5{\pm}2.6%$ and V30, $13.8{\pm}2.2%$ and Mean dose, $779.1{\pm}135.9cGy$ (absolute value). In the prone position it showed in the order $3.1{\pm}2.2%$, $1.8{\pm}1.7%$, $241.4{\pm}138.3cGy$. The prone position showed overall a lower dose. The average radiation dose 537.7 cGy less was exposured. In the case of heart, it showed that V30, $8.1{\pm}2.6%$ and $5.1{\pm}2.5%$, Mean dose, $594.9{\pm}225.3$ and $408{\pm}183.6cGy$ in the order supine, prone position. Results of statistical analysis, Cronbach's Alpha value of reliability analysis index is 0.563. The results of the correlation analysis between variables, position and dose factors of lung is about 0.89 or more, Which means a high correlation. For the heart, on the other hand it is less correlated to V30 (0.488), mean dose (0.418). Finally The results of independent samples t-test, position and dose factors of lung and heart were significantly higher in both the confidence level of 99 %. Conclusion: Radiation therapy is currently being developed state-of-the-art linear accelerator and a variety of treatment plan technology. The basic premise of the development think normal tissue protection around PTV. Of course, if you treat a breast cancer patient is in the prone position it take a lot of time and reproducibility of set-up problems. Nevertheless, As shown in the experiment results it is possible to reduce the dose to enter the lungs and the heart from the prone position. In conclusion, if a sufficient treatment time in the prone position and place correct confirmation will be more effective when the radiation treatment to patient.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2010

Purpose: To compare radiation dose of the brain and lens among various conventional whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) techniques. Materials and Methods: Treatment plans for WBRT were generated with planning computed tomography scans of 11 patients. A traditional plan with an isocenter located at the field center and a parallel anterior margin at the lateral bony canthus was generated (P1). Blocks were automatically generated with a 1 cm margin on the brain (5 mm for the lens). Subsequently, the isocenter was moved to the lateral bony canthus (P2), and the blocks were replaced into the multileaf collimator (MLC) with a 5 mm leaf width in the craniocaudal direction (P3). For each patient plan, 30 Gy was prescribed at the isocenter of P1. Dose volume histogram (DVH) parameters of the brain and lens were compared by way of a paired t-test. Results: Mean values of $D_{max}$ and $V_{105}$ of the brain in P1 were 111.9% and 23.6%, respectively. In P2 and P3, $D_{max}$ and $V_{105}$ of the brain were significantly reduced to 107.2% and 4.5~4.6%, respectively (p<0.001). The mean value of $D_{mean}$ of the lens was 3.1 Gy in P1 and 2.4~2.9 Gy in P2 and P3 (p<0.001). Conclusion: WBRT treatment plans with an isocenter located at the lateral bony canthus have dosimetric advantages for both the brain and lens without any complex method changes.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.71-79
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• 1998

Purpose : The objective of this study is to introduce our installation of a non-commercial 3D Planning system, Plunc and confirm it's clinical applicability in various treatment situations. Materials and Methods : We obtained source codes of Plunc, offered by University of North Carolina and installed them on a Pentium Pro 200MHz (128MB RAM, Millenium VGA) with Linux operating system. To examine accuracy of dose distributions calculated by Plunc, we input beam data of 6MV Photon of our linear accelerator(Siemens MXE 6740) including tissue-maximum ratio, scatter-maximum ratio, attenuation coefficients and shapes of wedge filters. After then, we compared values of dose distributions(Percent depth dose; PDD, dose profiles with and without wedge filters, oblique incident beam, and dose distributions under air-gap) calculated by Plunc with measured values. Results : Plunc operated in almost real time except spending about 10 seconds in full volume dose distribution and dose-volume histogram(DVH) on the PC described above. As compared with measurements for irradiations of 90-cm 550 and 10-cm depth isocenter, the PDD curves calculated by Plunc did not exceed $1\%$ of inaccuracies except buildup region. For dose profiles with and without wedge filter, the calculated ones are accurate within $2\%$ except low-dose region outside irradiations where Plunc showed $5\%$ of dose reduction. For the oblique incident beam, it showed a good agreement except low dose region below $30\%$ of isocenter dose. In the case of dose distribution under air-gap, there was $5\%$ errors of the central-axis dose. Conclusion : By comparing photon dose calculations using the Plunc with measurements, we confirmed that Plunc showed acceptable accuracies about $2-5\%$ in typical treatment situations which was comparable to commercial planning systems using correction-based a1gorithms. Plunc does not have a function for electron beam planning up to the present. However, it is possible to implement electron dose calculation modules or more accurate photon dose calculation into the Plunc system. Plunc is shown to be useful to clear many limitations of 2D planning systems in clinics where a commercial 3D planning system is not available.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 2006

Purpose: The number of patients receiving radiotherapy has increased every year and will keep increasing in the future. Therefore, the technique of radiotherapy is developing from day to day, as a result of it, the quantities of image and data used for radiotherapy are also considerably increasing. Therefore, there have been many difficulties in storing, keeping and managing them. Then, we developed and applied this system for improving complicated work process as well as solving these problems with the collaboration Medical Information Team. Materials and Methods: We exported its image at R & V (Record and Verify: Varis vision, Varian, USA) system and planning system after giving some code to be able to access from management system(RO) for department of radiation oncology to PACS. And, we programmed their information by using necessary information among many information included in DICOM head. Results: All images and data generated by our working environment (Simulation CT, L-gram image and internal body structure, DRR, does distribution )were realized at PACS and it became to be possible for clear image to be printed from any computer in department of radiation oncology. Conclusion: It was inevitable to use film during radiotherapy for patients in the past, however, due to the development of this system, film-less system became to be possible. Therefore, the darkroom space and its management cost in relation to the development process disappeared and it became to be unnecessary for spending tangible and intangible financial expense including human resources, time needed for finding film storing space and film and purchasing separate storing equipment for storing images. Finally, we think this system would be very helpful to handle ail complicated processes for radiotherapy and increasing efficiency of overall working conditions.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.331-339
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• 2014

To test feasibility of proton arc therapy (PAT) in the treatment of para-aortic lymph node tumor and compare its dosimetric properties with advanced radiotherapy techniques such as intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and conventional 3D conformal proton beam therapy (PBT). The treatment plans for para-aortic lymph node tumor were planned for 9 patients treated at our institution using IMRT, PBT, and PAT. Feasibility test and dosimetric evaluation were based on comparisons of dose volume histograms (DVHs) which reveal mean dose, $D_{30%}$, $D_{60%}$, $D_{90%}$, $V_{30%}$, $V_{60%}$, $V_{90%}$, organ equivalent doses (OEDs), normal tissue complication probability (NTCP), homogeneity index (HI) and conformity index (CI). The average doses delivered by PAT to the liver, kidney, small bowel, duodenum, stomach were 7.6%, 3%, 17.3%, 26.7%, and 14.4%, of the prescription dose (PD), respectively, which is higher than the doses delivered by IMRT (0.4%, 7.2%, 14.2%, 15.9%, and 12.8%, respectively) and PBT (4.9%, 0.5%, 14.12%, 16.1% 9.9%, respectively). The average homogeneity index and conformity index of tumor using PAT were 12.1 and 1.21, respectively which were much better than IMRT (21.5 and 1.47, respectively) and comparable to PBT (13.1 and 1.23, respectively). The result shows that both NTCP and OED of PAT are generally lower than IMRT and PBT. This study demonstrates that PAT is better in target conformity and homogeneity than IMRT and PBT but worse than IMRT and PBT for most of dosimetric factor which indicate that PAT is not recommended for the treatment of para-aortic lymph node tumor.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.176-184
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• 2014

In this study, we compared dose distributions from simultaneously integrated boost (SIB) method versus the RTOG 0631 protocol for spine radiosurgery. Spine radiosurgery plans were performed in five patients with localized spinal metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma. The computed tomography (CT) and T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were fused for delineating of GTV and spinal cord. In SIB plan, the clinical target volume (CTV1) was included the whole compartments of the involved spine, while RTOG 0631 protocol defines the CTV2 as the involved vertebral body and both left and right pedicles. The CTV2 includes transverse process and posterior element according to the extent of GTV. The doses were prescribed 18 Gy to GTV and 10 Gy to CTV1 in SIB plan, while the prescription of RTOG 0631 protocol was applied 18 Gy to CTV2. The results of dose-volume histogram (DVH) showed that there were competitive in target coverage, while the doses of spinal cord and other normal organs were lower in SIB method than in RTOG 0631 protocol. The 85% irradiated volume of VB in RTOG 0631 protocol was similar to that in the SIB plan. However, the dose to normal organs in RTOG 0631 had a tendency to higher than that in SIB plan. The SIB plan might be an alternative method in case of predictive serious complications of surrounded normal organs. In conclusion, although both approaches of SIB or RTOG 0631 showed competitive planning results, tumor control probability (TCP) and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) through diverse clinical researches should be analyzed in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.35-46
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• 2016

Purpose : BoS(Base of Skull) Frame, the fixation tool which is used for the proton of brain cancer increases the lateral penumbra by increasing the airgap (the distance between patient and beam jet), due to the collision of the beam of the posterior oblique direction. Thus, we manufactured the fixation tool per se for improving the limits of BoS frame, and we'd like to evaluate the utility of the manufactured fixation tool throughout this study. Materials and Methods : We've selected the 3 patients of brain cancer who have received the proton therapy from our hospital, and also selected the 6 beam angles; for this, we've selected the beam angle of the posterior oblique direction. We' ve measured the planned BoS frame and the distance of Snout for each beam which are planned for the treatment of the patient using the BoS frame. After this, we've proceeded with the set-up that is above the location which was recommended by the manufacturer of the BoS frame, at the same beam angle of the same patient, by using our in-house Bos frame fixation tool. The set-up was above 21 cm toward the superior direction, compared to the situation when the BoS frame was only used with the basic couch. After that, we've stacked the snout to the BoS frame as much as possible, and measured the distance of snout. We've also measured the airgap, based on the gap of that snout distance; and we've proceeded the normalization based on each dose (100% of each dose), after that, we've conducted the comparative analysis of lateral penumbra. Moreover, we've established the treatment plan according to the changed airgap which has been transformed to the Raystation 5.0 proton therapy planning system, and we've conducted the comparative analysis of DVH(Dose Volume Histogram). Results : When comparing the result before using the in-house Bos frame fixation tool which was manufactured for each beam angle with the result after using the fixation tool, we could figure out that airgap than when not used in accordance with the use of the in-house Bos frame fixation tool was reduced by 5.4 cm ~ 15.4 cm, respectively angle. The reduced snout distance means the airgap. Lateral Penumbra could reduce left, right, 0.1 cm ~ 0.4 cm by an angle in accordance with decreasing the airgap while using each beam angle in-house Bos frame fixation tool. Due to the reduced lateral penumbra, Lt.eyeball, Lt.lens, Lt. hippocampus, Lt. cochlea, Rt. eyeball, Rt. lens, Rt. cochlea, Rt. hippocampus, stem that can be seen that the dose is decreased by 0 CGE ~ 4.4 CGE. Conclusion : It was possible to reduced the airgap by using our in-house Bos frame fixation tool for the proton therapy; as a result, it was possible to figure out that the lateral penumbra reduced. Moreover, it was also possible to check through the comparative analysis of the treatment plan that when we reduce the lateral penumbra, the reduction of the unnecessary irradiation for the normal tissues. Therefore, Using the posterior oblique the Brain cancer proton therapy should be preceded by decreasing the airgap, by using our in-house Bos frame fixation tool; also, the continuous efforts for reducing the airgap as much as possible for the proton therapy of other area will be necessary as well.