• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.291-297
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• 2010

This study examined the dosimetric influence of implanted gold markers in proton therapy and the effects of their positions in the spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) proton beam. The implanted cylindrical gold markers were 3 mm long and 1.2 mm in diameter. The dosimetric influence of the gold markers was determined with markers at various locations in a proton-beam field. Spatial dose distributions were measured using a three-dimensional moving water phantom and a stereotactic diode detector with an effective diameter of 0.5 mm. Also, a film dosimetry was performed using Gafchromic External Beam Treatment (EBT) film. The GEANT4 simulation toolkit was used for Monte-Carlo simulations to confirm the measurements and to construct the dose-volume histogram with implanting markers. Motion data were obtained from the portal images of 10 patients to investigate the effect of organ motions on the dosimetric influence of markers in the presence of a rectal balloon. The underdosed volume due to a single gold marker, in which the dose was less than 95% of a prescribed amount, was 0.15 cc. The underdosed volume due to the presence of a gold marker is much smaller than the target volume. However, the underdosed volume is inside the gross tumor volume and is not smeared out due to translational prostate motions. The positions of gold markers and the conditions of the proton-beam field give different impacts on the dose distribution of a target with implanted gold markers, and should be considered in all clinical proton-based therapies.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.199-204
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• 2001

Purpoe : To find the optimal values of total arc degree to protect the normal brain tissue from high dose radiation in stereotactic radiotherapy planning. Methods and Materials : With Xknife-3 planning system & 4 MV linear accelerator, the authors planned under various values of parameters. One isocenter, 12, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 mm of collimator diameters, $100^{\circ},\;200^{\circ},\;300^{\circ},\;400^{\circ}C,\;500^{\circ},\;600^{\circ}$ or total arc degrees, and $30^{\circ}\;or\;45^{\circ}$ or arc intervals were used. After the completion of planning, the plans were compared each other using $V_{50}$ (the volume of normal brain that is delivered high dose radiation) and integral biologically effective dose. Results : At $30^{\circ}$ of arc interval, the values of $V_{50}$ had the decreased pattern with the increase of total arc degree in any collimator diameter. At 45 arc interval, up to $400^{\circ}$ of total arc degree, the values of $ V_{50}$ decreased with the increase of total arc degree, but at $500^{\circ}\;and\;600^{\circ}$ of total arc degrees, the values increased. At $30^{\circ}$ of arc interval, integral biologically effective dose showed the decreased pattern with the increase of total arc degree in any collimator diameter. At $45^{\circ}$ arc interval with less than 40 mm collimator diameter, the integral biologically effective dose decreased with the increase of total arc degree, but with n and n mm or collimator diameters, up to $400^{\circ}$ or total arc degree, integral biologically effective dose decreased with the increase of total arc degree, but at $500^{\circ}\;and\;600^{\circ}$ of total arc degrees, the values increased. Conclusion : In the stereotactic radiotherapy planning for brain lesions, planning with $400^{\circ}$ of total arc degree is optimal. Especially, when the larger collimator more than 50 mm diameter should be used, the uses of $500^{\circ}\;and\;600^{\circ}$ of total arc degrees make the increase of$V_{50}$ and integral biologically effective dose. Therefore stereotactic radiotherapy planning using $400^{\circ}$ of total arc degree can increase the therapeutic ratio and produce the effective outcome in the management of personal and mechanical sources in radiotherapy department.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.13-22
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• 2015

Purpose : We investigated the safety of Intrabeam$^{TM}$ system, X-ray unit for Intraoperative Radiotheray (IORT) by measuring surface dose using Optically Stimulated Luminescent Dosimeter(OSLD). Materials and Methods : 30 patients were selected, who were in breast cancer patients and had an operation of breast conserving surgery (BCS). At the inner surface of tumor bed, 20 Gy were described, and 5 Gy at 1cm depth from the inner surface. Along the size of tumor bed which could be decided after resection of tumor, the size of applicator were determined. Usual treatment time were from 18 to 40 minutes. For the measurement of surface doses, OSLD were placed at superior(U1,2), inferior(D1,2), lateral(L1,2) and medial(M1,2) directions from the center of applicator. Each direction, two OSLD were placed at 0.5 cm and 1.5 cm from the center. Mean, maximum, and minimum doses were analyzed to be compared. Results : Mean values were U1 $2.23{\pm}0.80Gy$, U2 $1.54{\pm}0.53Gy$, D1 $1.73{\pm}0.63Gy$, D2 $1.25{\pm}0.45Gy$, L1 $1.95{\pm}0.82Gy$, L2 $1.38{\pm}0.42Gy$, M1 $2.03{\pm}0.70Gy$, and M2 $1.51{\pm}0.58Gy$. Maximum values were 4.34 Gy at U1, and Minimum values were 0.45 Gy at M2. 13.3 % of patient (4pts out of 30) were reported that surface dose were over 4 Gy. Conclusion : The fact that skin dose of all patients were less than 5 Gy based on OSLD measurement showed the safety of Intrabeam$^{TM}$ system. In the relatively small breast volume, the tendency that surface dose was increased had been shown, which was analyzed by the data of patients who irradiated over 4Gy at skin surface. Therefore, for appropriate indication for IORT, it is suggested that breast volume as well as the size and position of tumor should be carfully considered.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.30 no.1_2
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• pp.73-81
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• 2018

Purpose : The aims of this study were to compare and assess the effectiveness of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy(VMAT) using jaw tracking(JT) and fixed jaw(FJ) in radiation therapy of multiple brain metastasis. Methode and material : Among the patients with Multiple Brain Metastasis treated with jaw tracking, 10 patients with more than 6 tumors and with the size of radiation field $14{\times}14cm^2$ or more were included. Each Treatment plans with jaw tracking(JT) and fixed jaw(FJ) was established with Eclipse (Ver. 13.6 Varian, USA). Gamma Index (3 mm, 3 % confidence interval - 95 %) and maximum dose difference were measured with an electronic portal imaging device(EPID). The $D_{max}$ and $D_{mean}$ of Organ At Risk(OAR) were assessed and compared, and the Conformity Index(CI) and Homogeneity Index(HI) were evaluated. Result : Evaluating jaw tracking(JT) and fixed jaw(FJ) outcomes, in all cases, Gamma Index met the permissible standard of 3 mm, 3 % confidence intervals of 95 %. The maximum dose difference value from the areas with leaf end transmission was measured at a maximum of 98.4 % and an average of 43.6 % in clockwise(CW), and 67.9 % and 41.0 % for each in Counter-Clockwise(CCW). With jaw tracking, the maximum value of $D_{max}$ for each normal organ in OAR decreased in 15.36 %~74.59 % with the average value decreasing in 2.84 %~39.80 %. The maximum value of $D_{mean}$ in OAR decreased in 27.90 %~65.23 %, with the average value decreasing in 7.70 %~41.71 %. No change has been found in Conformity Index and Homogeneity Index values. Conclusion : When Jaw tracking is used in treating patients with multiple brain metastasis with VMAT, the unnecessary exposure due to leakage and transmission of radiation in unspecified areas was reduced, without affecting the dose distribution of the planning target volume(PTV), and the availability of radiation therapy with lower doses in normal organs is expected.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.32
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• pp.85-92
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• 2020

Purpose: To find out the advantages of thermoplastic bolus compared to conventional bolus, which is mainly used in clinical practice, We evaluated Two cases in terms of dose and location reproducibility to assess Usability of thermoplastic Bolus for skin VMAT radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: Two patient's treated with left breast skin lesion were simulated using thermoplastic Bolus and planned with 2arc VMAT. the prescription dose was irradiated to 95% or more of the target volume. We evaluated The reproducibility of the bolus position by measuring the length of the air gap in the CBCT (Cone Beam CT) image. to evaluate dose reproducibility, we compared The dose distribution in the plan and CBCT and measured in vivo for patient 2. Results: The difference between the air gap in patient 1's simulation CT and the mean air gap (M1) during 10 treatments in the CBCT image was -0.42±1.24mm. In patient 2, the difference between the average air gap between the skin and the bolus (M2) during 14 treatments was -1.08±1.3mm, and the air gap between the bolus (M3) was 0.49±1.16. The difference in the dose distribution between Plan CT and CBCT was -1.38% for PTV1 D95 and 0.39% for SKIN (max) in patient 1. In patient 2, PTV1 D95 showed a difference of 0.63% and SKIN (max) -0.53%. The in vivo measurement showed a difference of -1.47% from the planned dose. Conclusion: thermoplastic Bolus is simpler and takes less time to manufacture compared to those produced by 3D printer. Also compared to conventional bolus, it has high reproducibility in the set-up side and stable results in terms of dose delivery.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.88-96
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• 2009

Radiation treatment for skin cancer has recently increased in tomotherapy. It was reported that required dose could be delivered with homogeneous dose distribution to the target without field matching using electron and photon beam. Therapeutic beam of tomotherapy, however, has several different physical characteristic and irradiation of helical beam is involved in the mechanically dynamic factors. Thus verification of skin dose is requisite using independent tools with additional verification method. Modified phantom for dose measurement was developed and skin dose verification was performed using inserted thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) and GafChromic EBT films. As the homogeneous dose was delivered to the region including surface and 6 mm depth, measured dose using films showed about average 2% lower dose than calculated one in treatment planning system. Region indicating about 14% higher and lower absorbed dose was verified on measured dose distribution. Uniformity of dose distribution on films decreased as compared with that of calculated results. Dose variation affected by inhomogeneous material, Teflon, little showed. In regard to the measured dose and its distribution in tomotherapy, verification of skin dose through measurement is required before the radiation treatment for the target located at the curved surface or superficial depth.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.93-97
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• 2016

In this study, we evaluate the effect of respiration on the dose distribution in patient target volume (PTV) during intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and research methods to reduce this impact. The dose distributions, homogeneity index (HI), coverage index (CVI), and conformity index of the PTV, which is calculated from the dose-volume histogram (DVH), are compared between the maximum intensity projection (MIP) image-based plan and other images at respiration phases of 30%, 60% and 90%. In addition, the reducing effect of complication caused by patient respiration is estimated in the case of a bolus and the expended PTV on the skin. The HI is increased by approximately twice, and the CVI is relatively decreased without the bolus at other respiration phases. With the bolus and expended PTV, the change in the dose distribution of the PTV is relatively small with patient respiration. Therefore, the usage of the bolus and expended PTV can be considered as one of the methods to improve the accuracy of IMRT in the treatment of breast cancer patients with respiratory motion.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.888-894
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• 1998

In order to investigate the radioprotective effect of Si-Wu-Tang (Korean name: Sa-Mul-Tang), a kind of traditional Oriental medicine as a blood-building decoction (Oriental medical concept: Bu-Xie), and Si-Jun-Zi-Tang (Korean name: Sa-Gun-Ja-Tang), one of the widely used Oriental herbal medicines as an energy tonic (Chinese medical concept: Bu-Qi). the jejunal crypt survival, endogenous spleen colony formation, and apoptosis in jejunal crypt cells were observed in irradiated mice. Jejunal crypts were protected by Si-Wu-Tang pretreated both per os (2 mg/mL of drinking water for 7 days, p<0.05) and intraperitoneally (1 mg/head, single injection at 24 hours before irradiation). Si-Wu-Tang adminstration before irradiation(1 mg/head, single injection at 24 hours before irradiation) resulted in an increase of the formation of endogenous spleen colony (p<0.005). The frequency of radiation-induced apoptosis in intestinal crypt cells was also reduced by pretreatment of Si-Wu-Tang (p<0.01). However, the radioprotective effect of Si-Jun-Zi-Tang was not as significant as that of Si-Wu-Tang. These results suggest that Si-Wu-Tang may be a useful radioprotective food, especially since it is a relatively nontoxic natural product.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2002

Optimum field size for the whole body stereotactic radiosurgery was studied. Dose distributions from the various sizes of targets (diameter 1cm to 7cm, icm interval) were used for this study. Planing scores, expressed as the Target Coverage Index (TCI), were calculated for various target Margin ranged 0cm to 0.5cm. Highest scores were obtained for no Margin to the target size. The target Margin -0.5cm to 0cm to the target showed best TCI the cases of the target size larger than 6cm diameter. No Margin or 0.5cm Margin generated best TCI for less than 2cm cases. Prescription to 80~90% gives best results.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.24-33
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• 2002

Purpose : In order to improve dose homogeneity and to reduce acute toxicity in tangential whole breast radiotherapy, we evaluated two treatment techniques using multiple static fields or universal compensators. Materials and Methods : 1) Multistatic field technique : Using a three dimensional radiation treatment planning system, Adac Pinnacle 4.0, we accomplished a conventional wedged tangential plan. Examining the isodose distributions, a third field which blocked overdose regions was designed and an opposing field was created by using an automatic function of RTPS. Weighting of the beams was tuned until an ideal dose distribution was obtained. Another pair of beams were added when the dose homogeneity was not satisfactory. 2) Universal compensator technique : The breast shapes and sizes were obtained from the CT images of 20 patients who received whole breast radiation therapy at our institution. The data obtained were averaged and a pair of universal physical compensators were designed for the averaged data. DII (Dose Inhomogeneity Index : percentage volume of PTV outside $95\~105\%$ of the prescribed dose) $D_{max}$ (the maximum point dose in the PTV) and isodose distributions for each technique were compared. Results : The multistatic field technique was found to be superior to the conventional technique, reducing the mean value of DII by $14.6\%$ (p value<0.000) and the $D_{max}$ by $4.7\%$ (p value<0.000). The universal compensator was not significantly superior to the conventional technique since it decreased $D_{max}$ by $0.3\%$ (p value=0.867) and reduced DII by $3.7\%$ (p value=0.260). However, it decreased the value of DII by maximum $18\%$ when patients' breast shapes fitted in with the compensator geometry. Conclusion : The multistatic field technique is effective for improving dose homogeneity for whole breast radiation therapy and is applicable to all patients, whereas the use of universal compensators is effective only in patients whose breast shapes fit inwith the universal compensator geometry, and thus has limited applicability.