Computerized design of target margins for treatment uncertainties in conformal radiotherapy Journal Article


Authors: Mageras, G. S.; Fuks, Z.; Leibel, S. A.; Ling, C. C.; Zelefsky, M. J.; Kooy, H. M.; Van Herk, M.; Kutcher, G. J.
Article Title: Computerized design of target margins for treatment uncertainties in conformal radiotherapy
Abstract: Purpose: We describe a computerized method of determining target margins for beam aperture design in conformal radiotherapy plans. Materials and Methods: The method uses previously measured data from a population of patients to simulate setup error and organ motion in the patient currently being planned. Starting with a clinical target volume (CTV) and nontarget organs from the patient's planning CT scan, the simulation is repeated many times to produce a spatial probability distribution for each organ in the treatment machine coordinate system. This is used to determine a prescribed dose volume (PDV), defined as the volume to receive the prescribed dose, which encompasses the CTV while restricting the volume of nontarget organs within it, according to planner-specified values. The PDV is used to design beam apertures using a conventional margin for beam penumbra. ReSults: The method is applied to 6-field prostate conformal treatment plans, in which the PDV encloses the prostate and seminal vesicles while limiting the enclosed rectal wall volume. The effect of organ motion is assessed by applying the plans on subsequent CT scans of the same patients, calculating probabilities for tumor control (TCP) and normal tissue complication (NTCP), and comparing with plans designed from a physician-drawn planning target volume (PTV). Although prostate TCP and rectal wall NTCP are found to be similar in the two sets of plans, TCP for the seminal vesicles is significantly higher in the PDV-based plans. ConclusiOnS: The method can improve the dose conformality of treatment plans by incorporating population-based measurements of treatment uncertainties and consideration of nontarget tissues in the design of nonuniform target margins.
Keywords: clinical article; controlled study; treatment planning; cancer radiotherapy; radiation dose; computer assisted tomography; radiotherapy dosage; prostate cancer; prostatic neoplasms; algorithm; probability; computer simulation; radiotherapy planning, computer-assisted; radiotherapy, conformal; seminal vesicle; rectum; computer system; target organ; three-dimensional treatment planning; humans; human; male; priority journal; article; conformal radiation therapy; target margins
Journal Title: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
Volume: 43
Issue: 2
ISSN: 0360-3016
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 1999-01-15
Start Page: 437
End Page: 445
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/s0360-3016(98)00386-1
PUBMED: 10030273
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Article -- Export Date: 16 August 2016 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Zvi Fuks
    427 Fuks
  2. Michael J Zelefsky
    754 Zelefsky
  3. Steven A Leibel
    252 Leibel
  4. Gikas S Mageras
    277 Mageras
  5. C Clifton Ling
    331 Ling