Knowledge‐based planning (KBP) can be used to estimate dose–volume histograms (DVHs) of organs at risk (OAR) using models. The task of model creation, however, can result in estimates with differing accuracy; particularly when outlier plans are not properly addressed. This work used RapidPlan™ to create models for the prostate and head and neck intended for large‐scale distribution. Potential outlier plans were identified by means of regression analysis scatter plots, Cook's distance, coefficient of determination, and the chi‐squared test. Outlier plans were identified as falling into three categories: geometric, dosimetric, and over‐fitting outliers. The models were validated by comparing DVHs estimated by the model with those from a separate and independent set of clinical plans. The estimated DVHs were also used as optimization objectives during inverse planning. The analysis tools lead us to identify as many as 7 geometric, 8 dosimetric, and 20 over‐fitting outliers in the raw models. Geometric and over‐fitting outliers were removed while the dosimetric outliers were replaced after re‐planning. Model validation was done by comparing the DVHs at 50%, 85%, and 99% of the maximum dose for each OAR (denoted as V50, V85, and V99) and agreed within −2% to 4% for the three metrics for the final prostate model. In terms of the head and neck model, the estimated DVHs agreed from −2.0% to 5.1% at V50, 0.1% to 7.1% at V85, and 0.1% to 7.6% at V99. The process used to create these models improved the accuracy for the pharyngeal constrictor DVH estimation where one plan was originally over‐estimated by more than twice. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that KBP models should be carefully created since their accuracy could be negatively affected by outlier plans. Outlier plans can be addressed by removing them from the model and re‐planning.
Introduction:Modern radiotherapy with 4-dimensional computed tomographic (4D-CT) image acquisition for non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) captures respiratory-mediated tumor motion to provide more accurate target delineation. This study compares conventional 3-dimensional (3D) conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) plans generated with standard helical free-breathing CT (FBCT) with plans generated on 4D-CT contoured volumes to determine whether target volume coverage is affected.Materials and methods:Fifteen patients with stage I to IV NSCLC were enrolled in the study. Free-breathing CT and 4D-CT data sets were acquired at the same simulation session and with the same immobilization. Gross tumor volume (GTV) for primary and/or nodal disease was contoured on FBCT (GTV_3D). The 3DCRT plans were obtained, and the patients were treated according to our institution’s standard protocol using FBCT imaging. Gross tumor volume was contoured on 4D-CT for primary and/or nodal disease on all 10 respiratory phases and merged to create internal gross tumor volume (IGTV)_4D. Clinical target volume margin was 5 mm in both plans, whereas planning tumor volume (PTV) expansion was 1 cm axially and 1.5 cm superior/inferior for FBCT-based plans to incorporate setup errors and an estimate of respiratory-mediated tumor motion vs 8 mm isotropic margin for setup error only in all 4D-CT plans. The 3DCRT plans generated from the FBCT scan were copied on the 4D-CT data set with the same beam parameters. GTV_3D, IGTV_4D, PTV, and dose volume histogram from both data sets were analyzed and compared. Dice coefficient evaluated PTV similarity between FBCT and 4D-CT data sets.Results:In total, 14 of the 15 patients were analyzed. One patient was excluded as there was no measurable GTV. Mean GTV_3D was 115.3 cm3 and mean IGTV_4D was 152.5 cm3 (P = .001). Mean PTV_3D was 530.0 cm3 and PTV_4D was 499.8 cm3 (P = .40). Both gross primary and nodal disease analyzed separately were larger on 4D compared with FBCT. D95 (95% isodose line) covered 98% of PTV_3D and 88% of PTV_4D (P = .003). Mean dice coefficient of PTV_3D and PTV_4D was 84%. Mean lung V20 was 24.0% for the 3D-based plans and 22.7% for the 4D-based plans (P = .057). Mean heart V40 was 12.1% for the 3D-based plans and 12.7% for the 4D-based plans (P = .53). Mean spinal cord Dmax was 2517 and 2435 cGy for 3D-based and 4D-based plans, respectively (P = .019). Mean esophageal dose was 1580 and 1435 cGy for 3D and 4D plans, respectively (P = .13).Conclusions:IGTV_4D was significantly larger than GTV_3D for both primary and nodal disease combined or separately. Mean PTV_3D was larger than PTV_4D, but the difference was not statistically significant. The PTV_4D coverage with 95% isodose line was inferior, indicating the importance of incorporating the true size and shape of the target volume. Relatively less dose was delivered to spinal cord and esophagus with plans based on 4D data set. Dice coefficient analysis for degree of similarity revealed that 16% of PTVs from both data sets did not overlap, indi...
Many years ago the English journal Punch carried a cartoon in which a young curate was portrayed having breakfast with his bishop and having trouble with his egg, which was far from fresh. Asked by his host if there was anything wrong with it, he replied: &dquo;Oh, no sir. Indeed, it is quite good -in spots!&dquo; On reading the article on Cuba and Detente in Issue 21 (Spring 1979) of Latin American Perspectives, one is reminded of this story. Like the curate's egg, the article is, I suggest, &dquo;goodin spots.&dquo; In its description of the various phases through which the Cuban revolution has passed, it serves to remind us of the warning of Lenin that those who look for a perfect revolution are unlikely to live to see it. Too many socialists are inclined to forget this and tend to use the term &dquo;socialism&dquo; (or communism) loosely of any regime which has survived its revolutionary crisis with the unfortunate result that reactionary elements are encouraged to discredit the idea of socialism by pointing to the imperfections which persist in the &dquo;socialist&dquo; parts of the world. But surely the fact is that, in the transition from capitalism to socialism, as Marx warned us, &dquo;the tradition of all the dead generations weighs like a nightmare on the brains of the living&dquo; largely because, as long as imperialism survives anywhere, the establishment of socialism is endangered everywhere. In the case of Cuba, this menace emanates from the barbarians to the north, and it is therefore disturbing to find the authors of this article rather blandly suggesting that, in the current phase of the Cuban revolution, &dquo;de-tente&dquo; with the United States (which they apparently think desirable) is possible only if Cuba consents to make far-reaching changes in her foreign policy!
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