Ranking radiotherapy treatment plans using decision-analytic and heuristic techniques

Jain, Nilesh L.; Kahn, Michael G.

doi:10.1016/0010-4809(92)90027-8

Cited by 14 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 13 publications

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“…This approach to determine the best treatment plan has been investigated, 23 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 but does not yet encompass the multidimensional complexity of radiosurgery plan quality and the preferences of the treating clinicians. Our simple mathematical ranking system generated the same category as the expert review panel in 9 out of 10 cases.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Inverse treatment planning for spinal robotic radiosurgery: an international multi‐institutional benchmark trial

Blanck

Wang

Baus

et al. 2016

J Applied Clin Med Phys

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Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is the accurate, conformal delivery of high‐dose radiation to well‐defined targets while minimizing normal structure doses via steep dose gradients. While inverse treatment planning (ITP) with computerized optimization algorithms are routine, many aspects of the planning process remain user‐dependent. We performed an international, multi‐institutional benchmark trial to study planning variability and to analyze preferable ITP practice for spinal robotic radiosurgery. 10 SRS treatment plans were generated for a complex‐shaped spinal metastasis with 21 Gy in 3 fractions and tight constraints for spinal cord (normalV14Gy<2 cc, normalV18Gy<0.1 cc) and target (coverage >95%). The resulting plans were rated on a scale from 1 to 4 (excellent‐poor) in five categories (constraint compliance, optimization goals, low‐dose regions, ITP complexity, and clinical acceptability) by a blinded review panel. Additionally, the plans were mathematically rated based on plan indices (critical structure and target doses, conformity, monitor units, normal tissue complication probability, and treatment time) and compared to the human rankings. The treatment plans and the reviewers' rankings varied substantially among the participating centers. The average mean overall rank was 2.4 (1.2‐4.0) and 8/10 plans were rated excellent in at least one category by at least one reviewer. The mathematical rankings agreed with the mean overall human rankings in 9/10 cases pointing toward the possibility for sole mathematical plan quality comparison. The final rankings revealed that a plan with a well‐balanced trade‐off among all planning objectives was preferred for treatment by most participants, reviewers, and the mathematical ranking system. Furthermore, this plan was generated with simple planning techniques. Our multi‐institutional planning study found wide variability in ITP approaches for spinal robotic radiosurgery. The participants', reviewers', and mathematical match on preferable treatment plans and ITP techniques indicate that agreement on treatment planning and plan quality can be reached for spinal robotic radiosurgery.PACS number(s): 87.55.de

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