Simulation of dosimetric consequences of intrafraction variation of tumor drift in lung cancer stereotactic body radiotherapy

Abstract

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the target dose discrepancy caused by intrafraction variation during stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for lung cancer.MethodsIntensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans were designed based on average computed tomography (AVG CT) utilizing the planning target volume (PTV) surrounding the 65% and 85% prescription isodoses in both phantom and patient cases. Variation was simulated by shifting the nominal plan isocenter along six directions from 0.5 mm to 4.5 mm with a 1-mm step size to produce a series of perturbed plans. The dose discrepancy between the initial plan and the perturbed plans was calculated as the percentage of the initial plan. Dose indices, including ΔD99 for internal target volume (ITV) and gross tumor volume (GTV), were adopted as endpoint samples. The mean dose discrepancy was calculated under the 3-dimensional space distribution.ResultsWe found that motion can lead to serious dose degradation of the target and ITV in lung SBRT, especially during SBRT with PTV surrounding the lower isodose line. Lower isodose line may lead to larger dose discrepancy, while make steeper dose fall-off gradient. This phenomenon was compromised when 3-dimensional space distribution was considered.DiscussionThis result may provide a prospective reference for target dose degradation due to motion during lung SBRT treatment.

Mathematical Modeling Support for Lung Cancer Therapy—A Short Review

“…It should be noted that mathematical modeling supporting radiotherapy is a much broader topic than indicated by the considerations given in this section. For example, methods developed for image analysis focused on either diagnostics or beam-guidance purposes [61], or more detailed dosimetric models [62] have been omitted, as they would call for a separate review paper.…”

Editorial: Methods in radiation oncology

“…Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has been employed as a deeply effective treatment modality for lung cancer which not only can deliver precise radiation dose to the tumor site but also offer minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissues ( 3 ). However, intrafraction motion during SBRT can lead to target dose discrepancies, compromising treatment efficacy.…”