Characterization of the on-board megavoltage imager in a magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy machine for beam output checks.

We characterized the on-board megavoltage imager (MVI) of a magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy machine for beam output checks. Linearity and repeatability of its dose response were investigated. Alignment relative to the beam under clinical circumstances was evaluated for a year using daily measurements. Linearity and short-term repeatability were excellent. Long-term repeatability drifted 0.8 % per year, which can be overcome by monthly cross calibrations. Long-term alignment was stable. Thus, the MVI has suitable characteristics for beam output checks.

Multileaf collimator characterization and modeling for a 1.5 T MR-linac using static synchronous and asynchronous sweeping gaps.

Objective.The Elekta unity MR-linac delivers step-and-shoot intensity modulated radiotherapy plans using a multileaf collimator (MLC) based on the Agility MLC used on conventional Elekta linacs. Currently, details of the physical Unity MLC and the computational model within its treatment planning system (TPS)Monacoare lacking in published literature. Recently, a novel approach to characterize the physical properties of MLCs was introduced using dynamic synchronous and asynchronous sweeping gap (aSG) tests. Our objective was to develop a step-and-shoot version of the dynamic aSG test to characterize the Unity MLC and the computational MLC models in theMonacoandRayStationTPSs.Approach.Dynamic aSG were discretized into a step-and-shoot aSG by investigating the number of segments/sweep and the minimal number of monitor units (MU) per segment. The step-and-shoot aSG tests were compared to the dynamic aSG tests on a conventional linac at a source-to-detector distance of 143.5 cm, mimicking the Unity configuration. the step-and-shoot aSG tests were used to characterize the Unity MLC through measurements and dose calculations in both TPSs.Main results.The step-and-shoot aSGs tests with 100 segments and 5 MU/segment gave results very similar to the dynamic aSG experiments. The effective tongue-and-groove width of the Unity gradually increased up to 1.4 cm from the leaf tip end. The MLC models inRayStationandMonacoagreed with experimental data within 2.0% and 10%, respectively. The largest discrepancies inMonacowere found for aSG tests with >10 mm leaf interdigitation, which are non-typical for clinical plans.Significance.The step-and-shoot aSG tests accurately characterize the MLC in step-and-shoot delivery mode. The MLC model inRayStation2023B accurately describes the tongue-and-groove and leaf tip effects whereasMonacooverestimates the tongue-and-groove shadowing further away from the leaf tip end.

Beam output checks of a commercial high-field magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy machine with its on-board megavoltage imager.

Beam output checks of a commercial high-field magnetic resonance-guided radiotherapy machine can be performed with its on-board megavoltage imager (MVI). This is a fast and efficient method, but only recommended for daily checks. The aim of our study was to show its suitability for weekly checks by investigating its long-term agreement with the golden standard: ionization chamber measurements in a water tank. For one year, the output deviations obtained with both methods were compared. The difference was 0.1 ± 0.3 (1SD) percentage point. This indicated an excellent agreement, and translated into a tolerance level of ± 2 %.

Accuracy of dose calculations on kV cone beam CT images of lung cancer patients.

PURPOSE: To develop a clinically feasible method for dose calculations on cone beam CT (CBCT) images of two different vendors, and to determine the accuracy of these dose calculations for lung cancer patients. METHODS: Lung cancer patients with CBCT imaging (n = 10 for Elekta, n = 6 for Varian) and a repeated planning CT scan on the same day were selected. For CBCT dose calculations, an adapted Hounsfield units-to-mass density table (HU table) was used which was obtained by comparing CT values of corresponding points on the CBCT and the repeated planning CT scan. Dose calculations with three different HU tables were compared: a patient-specific, a general thorax-CBCT, and the standard CT HU table. Planning CT data were used to compensate for the limited field of view (FOV) (Elekta) or scan length (Varian) of the CBCT. For evaluation, clinically relevant dose metrics were compared between the repeated CT and CBCT to assess the accuracy of dose calculations on CBCT for both vendors. RESULTS: For both vendors, isodose lines and dose volume histograms were very similar between dose calculation on CBCT and CT. For Varian, average differences between CT and CBCT dose calculations were 2%-3% for most dose metrics when the standard CT HU table was used. A better agreement was observed when a thorax-CBCT HU table was used, with differences of 1%-2%. No added value was found by using a patient-specific HU table, showing similar results as the general thorax-CBCT HU table. For Elekta, the dose metrics showed large deviations when the CT HU table was used, but using a patient-specific HU table resulted in similar accuracy as for Varian CBCT dose calculations, with average differences between repeated CT and CBCT dose metrics below 3%, and for most dose metrics even below 2%. CONCLUSIONS: Differences between Elekta and Varian CBCT, including hardware, reconstruction software, HU calibration, FOV, and scan length, resulted in different challenges for CBCT dose calculations for the different vendors. For Elekta CBCT scans, the procedure with a patient-specific HU table resulted in similar accuracy as for Varian CBCT dose calculations with a general HU correction for all thorax patients. The vendor-specific corrective methods used in this study resulted in dose calculations feasible for treatment re-evaluation for both Elekta and Varian CBCT scans.

The NCS code of practice for the quality assurance and control for volumetric modulated arc therapy.

In 2010, the NCS (Netherlands Commission on Radiation Dosimetry) installed a subcommittee to develop guidelines for quality assurance and control for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) treatments. The report (published in 2015) has been written by Dutch medical physicists and has therefore, inevitably, a Dutch focus. This paper is a condensed version of these guidelines, the full report in English is freely available from the NCS website www.radiationdosimetry.org. After describing the transition from IMRT to VMAT, the paper addresses machine quality assurance (QA) and treatment planning system (TPS) commissioning for VMAT. The final section discusses patient specific QA issues such as the use of class solutions, measurement devices and dose evaluation methods.

Probabilistic evaluation of target dose deterioration in dose painting by numbers for stage II/III lung cancer.

PURPOSE: Non-small cell lung cancer is typically irradiated with 60-66 Gy in 2-Gy fractions. Local control could be improved by increasing dose to the more radiation-resistant areas (eg, based on the standardized uptake values of a pretreatment [(18)F]fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography scan). Such dose painting approaches, however, are poorly suited for a conventional planning target volume margin expansion; therefore, typically no margins are used. This study investigates dose deterioration of a dose painting by numbers (DPBN) approach resulting from geometrical uncertainties. METHODS AND MATERIALS: For 9 DPBN plans of stage II/III non-small cell lung cancer patients, the boost dose was escalated up to 130 Gy (in 33 fractions) or until a dose-limiting constraint was reached. Then, using Monte Carlo methods, a probabilistic evaluation of dose endpoints for 99%, 98%, and 2% of gross tumor volume at a 90% confidence level was performed considering 8 different combinations of systematic (∑) and random (σ) geometric error distributions. RESULTS: Important underdosages, because of geometric uncertainties, of up to 38 Gy with minimal image guidance occur, reducing to 8 Gy with the highest level of image guidance, for a patient where a maximum dose of 119 Gy could be achieved. The evaluation showed that systematic errors had the largest influence. The effects of the uncertainties are most evident where the dose or its gradient is high. CONCLUSIONS: Probabilistic evaluation showed that the geometric uncertainties have a large effect and should be evaluated before approving DPBN plans.

Quality assurance for the EORTC 22071-26071 study: dummy run prospective analysis.

PURPOSE: The phase III 22071-26071 trial was designed to evaluate the addition of panitumumab to adjuvant chemotherapy plus intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in locally advanced resected squamous cell head and neck cancer. We report the results of the dummy run (DR) performed to detect deviations from protocol guidelines. METHODS AND MATERIALS: DR datasets consisting of target volumes, organs at risk (OAR) and treatment plans were digitally uploaded, then compared with reference contours and protocol guidelines by six central reviewers. Summary statistics and analyses of potential correlations between delineations and plan characteristics were performed. RESULTS: Of 23 datasets, 20 (87.0%) GTVs were evaluated as acceptable/borderline, along with 13 (56.5%) CTVs and 10 (43.5%) PTVs. All PTV dose requirements were met by 73.9% of cases. Dose constraints were met for 65.2-100% of mandatory OARs. Statistically significant correlations were observed between the subjective acceptability of contours and the ability to meet dose constraints for all OARs (p ≤ 0.01) except for the parotids and spinal cord. Ipsilateral parotid doses correlated significantly with CTV and PTV volumes (p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The observed wide variations in treatment planning, despite strict guidelines, confirms the complexity of development and quality assurance of IMRT-based multicentre studies for head and neck cancer.

Multi-institutional comparison of volumetric modulated arc therapy vs. intensity-modulated radiation therapy for head-and-neck cancer: a planning study.

BACKGROUND: Compared to static beam Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), the main advantage of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) is a shortened delivery time, which leads to improved patient comfort and possibly smaller intra-fraction movements. This study aims at a treatment planner-independent comparison of radiotherapy treatment planning of IMRT and VMAT for head-and-neck cancer performed by several institutes and based on the same CT- and contouring data. METHODS: Five institutes generated IMRT and VMAT plans for five oropharyngeal cancer patients using either Pinnacle3 or Oncentra Masterplan to be delivered on Elekta linear accelerators. RESULTS: Comparison of VMAT and IMRT plans within the same patient and institute showed significantly better sparing for almost all OARs with VMAT. The average mean dose to the parotid glands and oral cavity was reduced from 27.2 Gy and 39.4 Gy for IMRT to 25.0 Gy and 36.7 Gy for VMAT, respectively. The dose conformity at 95% of the prescribed dose for PTVboost and PTVtotal was 1.45 and 1.62 for IMRT and 1.37 and 1.50 for VMAT, respectively. The average effective delivery time was reduced from 13:15 min for IMRT to 5:54 min for VMAT. CONCLUSIONS: Independently of institution-specific optimization strategies, the quality of the VMAT plans including double arcs was superior to step-and-shoot IMRT plans including 5-9 beam ports, while the effective treatment delivery time was shortened by ~50% with VMAT.

High precision bladder cancer irradiation by integrating a library planning procedure of 6 prospectively generated SIB IMRT plans with image guidance using lipiodol markers.

PURPOSE: To increase local control and decrease side effects for urinary bladder cancer patients by integrating a library planning procedure with image guidance using lipiodol markers. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty patients with T2-T4N0M0 grade 2-3 invasive bladder carcinoma were treated according to an online adaptive protocol. Initially, the gross tumour volume (GTV) was demarcated during cystoscopy by injecting several drops of lipiodol in the submucosa around the tumour. Subsequently two CT scans were acquired with a full bladder and a voided bladder. On both scans, the boost volume (GTV) and the low-risk bladder volume were delineated. Using an interpolation tool, six concomitant boost IMRT plans with increasing bladder volumes were generated. For each fraction the procedure at the treatment unit was as follows: Firstly, a ConeBeam-CT was acquired and based on the amount of bladder filling the best fitting bladder contours and corresponding GTV and IMRT plans were selected. Secondly, the lipiodol markers were registered using the corresponding GTV contours and it was verified that the corresponding 95%-isodose surface covered the entire bladder. Finally, an online setup correction was applied based on this registration and the corresponding treatment plan was irradiated. RESULTS: The lipiodol markers were very useful in outlining the GTV at the planning CT and for daily setup correction. While the patients strived for a full bladder filling at time of the treatment, this was seldom accomplished. Due to our protocol an appropriate plan with adequate coverage of the PTV and without excessive dose to healthy tissue was delivered every day. The treatment was very well tolerated by all patients. At the end of the treatment no grade 3 urinary or gastro-intestinal toxicity was observed. After a median follow-up of 28 months two local relapses occurred. CONCLUSION: Using the library planning approach combined with online image guidance using lipiodol markers, we were able to deliver a highly conformal dose distribution to all bladder cancer patients achieving promising clinical results.

Dose painting by contours versus dose painting by numbers for stage II/III lung cancer: practical implications of using a broad or sharp brush.

PURPOSE: Local recurrence rates are high in patients with locally advanced NSCLC treated with 60 to 66 Gy in 2 Gy fractions. It is hypothesised that boosting volumes with high SUV on the pre-treatment FDG-PET scan potentially increases local control while maintaining acceptable toxicity levels. We compared two approaches: threshold-based dose painting by contours (DPBC) with voxel-based dose painting by numbers (DPBN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two dose painted plans were generated for 10 stage II/III NSCLC patients with 66 Gy at 2-Gy fractions to the entire PTV and a boost dose to the high SUV areas within the primary GTV. DPBC aims for a uniform boost dose at the volume encompassing the SUV 50%-region (GTV(boost)). DPBN aims for a linear relationship between the boost dose to a voxel and the underlying SUV. For both approaches the boost dose was escalated up to 130 Gy (in 33 fractions) or until the dose limiting constraint of an organ at risk was met. RESULTS: For three patients (with relatively small peripheral tumours) the dose within the GTV could be boosted to 130 Gy using both strategies. For the remaining patients the boost dose was confined by a critical structure (mediastinal structures in six patients, lungs in one patient). In general the amount of large brush DPBC boosting is limited whenever the GTV(boost) is close to any serial risk organ. In contrast, small brush DPBN inherently boosts at a voxel-by-voxel basis allowing significant higher dose values to high SUV voxels more distant from the organs at risk. We found that the biological SUV gradients are reasonably congruent with the dose gradients that standard linear accelerators can deliver. CONCLUSIONS: Both large brush DPBC and sharp brush DPBN techniques can be used to considerably boost the dose to the FDG avid regions. However, significantly higher boost levels can be obtained using sharp brush DPBN although sometimes at the cost of a less increased dose to the low SUV regions.

Quality assurance of 4D-CT scan techniques in multicenter phase III trial of surgery versus stereotactic radiotherapy (radiosurgery or surgery for operable early stage (stage 1A) non-small-cell lung cancer [ROSEL] study).

PURPOSE: To determine the accuracy of four-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT) scanning techniques in institutions participating in a Phase III trial of surgery vs. stereotactic radiotherapy (SBRT) for lung cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: All 9 centers performed a 4D-CT scan of a motion phantom (Quasar, Modus Medical Devices) in accordance with their in-house imaging protocol for SBRT. A cylindrical cedar wood insert with plastic spheres of 15 mm (ø15) and 30 mm (ø30) diameter was moved in a cosine-based pattern, with an extended period in the exhale position to mimic the actual breathing motion. A range of motion of R = 15 and R = 25 mm and breathing period of T = 3 and T = 6 s were used. Positional and volumetric imaging accuracy was analyzed using Pinnacle version 8.1× at various breathing phases, including the mid-ventilation phase and maximal intensity projections of the spheres. RESULTS: Imaging using eight CT scanners (Philips, Siemens, GE) and one positron emission tomography-CT scanner (Institution 3, Siemens) was investigated. The imaging protocols varied widely among the institutions. No strong correlation was found between the specific scan protocol parameters and the observed results. Deviations in the maximal intensity projection volumes averaged 1.9% (starting phase of the breathing cycle [ø]15, R = 15), 12.3% (ø15, R = 25), and -0.9% (ø30, R = 15). The end-expiration volume deviations (13.4%, ø15 and 2.5%, ø30), were, on average, smaller than the end-inspiration deviations (20.7%, ø15 and 4.5%, ø30), which, in turn, were smaller than the mid-ventilation deviations (32.6%, ø15 and 8.0%, ø30). A slightly larger variation in the mid-ventilation origin position was observed (mean, -0.2 mm; range, -3.6-4.2) than in the maximal intensity projection origin position (mean, -0.1 mm; range, -2.5-2.5). The range of motion was generally underestimated (mean, -1.5 mm; range, -5.5-1). CONCLUSIONS: Notable differences were seen in the 4D-CT imaging protocols for SBRT among centers. However, the observed deviations in target volumes were generally small. They were slightly larger for the mid-ventilation phases and smallest for the end-expiration phases. Steps to optimize and standardize the 4D-CT scanning protocols for SBRT are desirable.

Recommendations for implementing stereotactic radiotherapy in peripheral stage IA non-small cell lung cancer: report from the Quality Assurance Working Party of the randomised phase III ROSEL study.

BACKGROUND: A phase III multi-centre randomised trial (ROSEL) has been initiated to establish the role of stereotactic radiotherapy in patients with operable stage IA lung cancer. Due to rapid changes in radiotherapy technology and evolving techniques for image-guided delivery, guidelines had to be developed in order to ensure uniformity in implementation of stereotactic radiotherapy in this multi-centre study. METHODS/DESIGN: A Quality Assurance Working Party was formed by radiation oncologists and clinical physicists from both academic as well as non-academic hospitals that had already implemented stereotactic radiotherapy for lung cancer. A literature survey was conducted and consensus meetings were held in which both the knowledge from the literature and clinical experience were pooled. In addition, a planning study was performed in 26 stage I patients, of which 22 were stage 1A, in order to develop and evaluate the planning guidelines. Plans were optimised according to parameters adopted from RTOG trials using both an algorithm with a simple homogeneity correction (Type A) and a more advanced algorithm (Type B). Dose conformity requirements were then formulated based on these results. CONCLUSION: Based on current literature and expert experience, guidelines were formulated for this phase III study of stereotactic radiotherapy versus surgery. These guidelines can serve to facilitate the design of future multi-centre clinical trials of stereotactic radiotherapy in other patient groups and aid a more uniform implementation of this technique outside clinical trials.

Developing and evaluating stereotactic lung RT trials: what we should know about the influence of inhomogeneity corrections on dose.

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of inhomogeneity corrections on stereotactic treatment plans for non-small cell lung cancer and determine the dose delivered to the PTV and OARs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For 26 patients with stage-I NSCLC treatment plans were optimized with unit density (UD), an equivalent pathlength algorithm (EPL), and a collapsed-cone (CC) algorithm, prescribing 60 Gy to the PTV. After optimization the first two plans were recalculated with the more accurate CC algorithm. Dose parameters were compared for the three different optimized plans. Dose to the target and OARs was evaluated for the recalculated plans and compared with the planned values. RESULTS: For the CC algorithm dose constraints for the ratio of the 50% isodose volume and the PTV, and the V20 Gy are harder to fulfill. After recalculation of the UD and EPL plans large variations in the dose to the PTV were observed. For the unit density plans, the dose to the PTV varied from 42.1 to 63.4 Gy for individual patients. The EPL plans all overestimated the PTV dose (average 48.0 Gy). For the lungs, the recalculated V20 Gy was highly correlated to the planned value, and was 12% higher for the UD plans (R2 = 0.99), and 15% lower for the EPL plans (R2 = 0.96). CONCLUSION: Inhomogeneity corrections have a large influence on the dose delivered to the PTV and OARs for SBRT of lung tumors. A simple rescaling of the dose to the PTV is not possible, implicating that accurate dose calculations are necessary for these treatment plans in order to prevent large discrepancies between planned and actually delivered doses to individual patients.

Dose calculations accounting for breathing motion in stereotactic lung radiotherapy based on 4D-CT and the internal target volume.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the 4D accumulated dose delivered to the CTV in stereotactic radiotherapy of lung tumours, for treatments planned on an average CT using an ITV derived from the Maximum Intensity Projection (MIP) CT. METHODS: For 10 stage I lung cancer patients, treatment plans were generated based on 4D-CT images. From the 4D-CT scan, 10 time-sorted breathing phases were derived, along with the average CT and the MIP. The ITV with a margin of 0mm was used as a PTV to study a worst case scenario in which the differences between 3D planning and 4D dose accumulation will be largest. Dose calculations were performed on the average CT. Dose prescription was 60Gy to 95% of the PTV, and at least 54Gy should be received by 99% of the PTV. Plans were generated using the inverse planning module of the Pinnacle(3) treatment planning system. The plans consisted of nine coplanar beams with two segments each. After optimisation, the treatment plan was transferred to all breathing phases and the delivered dose per phase was calculated using an elastic body spline model available in our research version of Pinnacle (8.1r). Then, the cumulative dose to the CTV over all breathing phases was calculated and compared to the dose distribution of the original treatment plan. RESULTS: Although location, tumour size and breathing-induced tumour movement varied widely between patients, the PTV planning criteria could always be achieved without compromising organs at risk criteria. After 4D dose calculations, only very small differences between the initial planned PTV coverage and resulting CTV coverage were observed. For all patients, the dose delivered to 99% of the CTV exceeded 54Gy. For nine out of 10 patients also the criterion was met that the volume of the CTV receiving at least the prescribed dose was more than 95%. CONCLUSIONS: When the target dose is prescribed to the ITV (PTV=ITV) and dose calculations are performed on the average CT, the cumulative CTV dose compares well to the planned dose to the ITV. Thus, the concept of treatment plan optimisation and evaluation based on the average CT and the ITV is a valid approach in stereotactic lung treatment. Even with a zero ITV to PTV margin, no significantly different dose coverage of the CTV arises from the breathing motion induced dose variation over time.