• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.2243-2248
• /
• 2013

Background: To compare the dosimetric coverage of target volumes and organs at risk in the radical treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) between intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT). Materials and Methods: Data from 10 consecutive patients treated with IMRT from June-October 2011 in Penang General Hospital were collected retrospectively for analysis. For each patient, dose volume histograms were generated for both the IMRT and 3DCRT plans using a total dose of 70Gy. Comparison of the plans was accomplished by comparing the target volume coverage (5 measures) and sparing of organs at risk (17 organs) for each patient using both IMRT and 3DCRT. The means of each comparison target volume coverage measures and organs at risk measures were obtained and tested for statistical significance using the paired Student t-test. Results: All 5 measures for target volume coverage showed marked dosimetric superiority of IMRT over 3DCRT. V70 and V66.5 for PTV70 showed an absolute improvement of 39.3% and 24.1% respectively. V59.4 and V56.4 for PTV59.4 showed advantages of 18.4% and 16.4%. Moreover, the mean PTV70 dose revealed a 5.1 Gy higher dose with IMRT. Only 4 out of 17 organs at risk showed statistically significant difference in their means which were clinically meaningful between the IMRT and 3DCRT techniques. IMRT was superior in sparing the spinal cord (less 5.8Gy), V30 of right parotid (less 14.3%) and V30 of the left parotid (less 13.1%). The V55 of the left cochlea was lower with 3DCRT (less 44.3%). Conclusions: IMRT is superior to 3DCRT due to its dosimetric advantage in target volume coverage while delivering acceptable doses to organs at risk. A total dose of 70Gy with IMRT should be considered as a standard of care for radical treatment of NPC.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.36-42
• /
• 2012

Purpose: To evaluate the radial displacement of clinical target volume in the patients with node negative head and neck (H&N) cancer and to quantify the relative positional changes compared to that of normal healthy volunteers. Materials and Methods: Three node-negative H&N cancer patients and five healthy volunteers were enrolled in this study. For setup accuracy, neck thermoplastic masks and laser alignment were used in each of the acquired computed tomography (CT) images. Both groups had total three sequential CT images in every two weeks. The lymph node (LN) level of the neck was delineated based on the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) consensus guideline by one physician. We use the second cervical vertebra body as a reference point to match each CT image set. Each of the sequential CT images and delineated neck LN levels were fused with the primary image, then maximal radial displacement was measured at 1.5 cm intervals from skull base (SB) to caudal margin of LN level V, and the volume differences at each node level were quantified. Results: The mean radial displacements were 2.26 (${\pm}1.03$) mm in the control group and 3.05 (${\pm}1.97$) in the H&N cancer patients. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of the mean radial displacement (p = 0.03). In addition, the mean radial displacement increased with the distance from SB. As for the mean volume differences, there was no statistical significance between the two groups. Conclusion: This study suggests that a more generous radial margin should be applied to the lower part of the neck LN for better clinical target coverage and dose delivery.

• 대한방사선방어학회:학술대회논문집
• /
• 2010.04a
• /
• pp.52-53
• /
• 2010

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.18-25
• /
• 2020

Purpose: This study was aim to evaluate the patterns of failure according to radiotherapy (RT) target volume for cervical lymph nodes in metastases of unknown primary origin in head and neck region (HNMUO). Materials and Methods: Sixty-two patients with HNMUO between 1998 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. We analyzed the clinical outcomes and primary site failure depending on the radiation target volume. The target volume was classified according to whether the potential head and neck mucosal sites were included and whether the neck node was treated involved side only or bilaterally. Results: Potential mucosal site RT (mucosal RT) was done to 23 patients and 39 patients did not receive mucosal RT. Mucosal RT showed no significant effect on overall survival (OS) and locoregional recurrence (LRR). The location of primary site failure encountered during follow-up period was found to be unpredictable and 75% of patients with recurrence received successful salvage therapies. No significant differences in OS and LRR were found between patients treated to unilateral (n = 35) and bilateral neck irradiation (n = 21). Treatment of both necks resulted in significantly higher mucositis. Conclusions: We found no advantages in OS and LRR of patients with HNMUO when mucosal sites and bilateral neck node were included in the radiation target volume.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.183-191
• /
• 2010

In this study, the patient with localized prostate cancer who had previously been treated at Ajou University Hospital was randomly selected since March, 2009. we performed IMRT and 2RA plans and the same dose objectives were used for CTVs, PTVs, rectum, bladder, and femoral head of the respective plans. Arc optimizations and dose calculations were performed using Eclipse versions 8.6. In this paper, we evaluated the performance of IMRT and RA plans to investigate the clinical effect of RA for prostate cancer case. In our comparison of treatment techniques, RA was found to be superior to IMRT being better dose conformity of target volume. As for the rectum and bladder, RA was better than IMRT at decreasing the volume irradiated. RA has the ability to avoid critical organs selectively through applied same dose constraints while maximally treating the target dose. Therefore, this result suggests that there should be less rectal toxicity with RA compared with IMRT, with no compromise in tumor margin. These findings, which show more favorable rectal, bladder, and femoral head DVHs with RA, imply that should not result in excess risk of toxicity when this technique is used. Many experiences with RA have shown not only dosimetric advantage, but also improved clinical toxicity when comparing with IMRT. The main drawbacks of RA are the more complex and time-consuming treatment planning process and the need for more exact physics quality assurance (QA).

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.11-16
• /
• 2018

Purpose: To investigate interobserver variation in target volume delineations for prostate cancer salvage radiotherapy using planning computed tomography (CT) versus combined planning CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: Ten radiation oncologists independently delineated a target volume on the planning CT scans of five cases with different pathological status after radical prostatectomy. Two weeks later, this was repeated with the addition of planning MRI. The volumes obtained with CT only and combined CT and MRI were compared, and the effect of the addition of planning MRI on interobserver variability was assessed. Results: There were large differences in clinical target volume (CTV) delineated by each observer, regardless of the addition of planning MRI ($9.44-139.27cm^3$ in CT only and $7.77-122.83cm^3$ in CT plus MRI) and no significant differences in the mean and standard deviation of CTV. However, there were decreases in mean volume and standard deviation as a result of using the planning MRI. Conclusion: This study showed substantial interobserver variation in target volume delineation for salvage radiotherapy. The combination of planning MRI with CT tended to decrease the target volume and the variation.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.30 no.1_2
• /
• pp.153-160
• /
• 2018

Purpose : We retrospectively analyzed doses of each radiation therapy technique used in the treatment for left breast cancer patients after partial mastectomy through dose results for normalorgans and tumor volume to use this as a clinical reference for radiation therapy of domestic left breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods : 40 patients who underwent partial mastectomy on left breast cancer were classified in 3 treatment methods. The treatment plan was evaluated by HI(homogeneity index), $D_{95%}$, and CI(conformity index), and the $V_{hot}$ for gross tumor volume and clinical target volume of each treatment method. In Cyberknife treatment, tumor volume was the same as high dose volume in the other techniques, so no consideration was given to clinical target volume. Treatment plan evaluation for normal organs were evaluated by mean dose on ipsilateral lung, heart, left anterior descending artery, opposite breast and lung, and non-target tissue. Result : Treatment with volumetric arc radiotherapy(VMAT) showed $95.84{\pm}0.75%$ of $D_{95%}$ on the clinical target volume, significantly higher than that of 3D-CRT. The $D_{95%}$ value of the total tumor volume was slightly higher than the other treatments. In Cyberknife treatment, the dose to the normal organs was significantly lower than other treatments. Overall, the maximum dose and mean dose to the heart were $26.2{\pm}6.12Gy$ and $1.88{\pm}0.2Gy$ in VMAT treatment and $20.25{\pm}9.35Gy$ and $1.04{\pm}0.19Gy$ in 3D-CRT therapy, respectively. Conclusion : In comparison on 3D-CRT and VMAT, most of the dosimetric parameters for the evaluation of the treatment plan showed similar values, so that there is no significant difference in treatment plan evaluation. It is possible to select the treatment method according to the patient's anatomical structure or possibility of breath control. Cyberknife treatment is very useful treatment for normal organs because of its accurate dose exposure to the tumor volume However, it has restrictions to treat the local area, to have relatively long treatment time and to involve invasive procedure.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
• /
• 2002.09a
• /
• pp.53-60
• /
• 2002

Motion of lung tumors from respiration has been reported in the literature to be as large as of 1-2 cm. This motion requires an additional margin between the Clinical Target Volume (CTV) and the Planning Target Volume (PTV). While such a margin is necessary, it may not be sufficient to ensure proper delivery of Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) to the CTV during the simultaneous movement of the DMLC. Gated treatment has been proposed to improve normal tissues sparing as well as to ensure accurate dose coverage of the tumor volume. The following questions have not been addressed in the literature: a) what is the dose error to a target volume without gated IMRT treatment\ulcorner b) what is an acceptable gating window for such treatment. In this study, we address these questions by proposing a novel technique for calculating the 3D dose error that would result if a lung IMRT plan were delivered without gating. The method is also generalized for gated treatment with an arbitrary triggering window. IMRT plans for three patients with lung tumor were studied. The treatment plans were generated with HELIOS for delivery with 6 MV on a CL2100 Varian linear accelerator with a 26 pair MLC. A CTV to PTV margin of 1 cm was used. An IMRT planning system searches for an optimized fluence map ${\Phi}$ (x,y) for each port, which is then converted into a dynamic MLC file (DMLC). The DMLC file contains information about MLC subfield shapes and the fractional Monitor Units (MUs) to be delivered for each subfield. With a lung tumor, a CTV that executes a quasi periodic motion z(t) does not receive ${\Phi}$ (x,y), but rather an Effective Incident Fluence EIF(x,y). We numerically evaluate the EIF(x,y) from a given DMLC file by a coordinate transformation to the Target's Eye View (TEV). In the TEV coordinate system, the CTV itself is stationary, and the MLC is seen to execute a motion -z(t) that is superimposed on the DMLC motion. The resulting EIF(x,y)is inputted back into the dose calculation engine to estimate the 3D dose to a moving CTV. In this study, we model respiratory motion as a sinusoidal function with an amplitude of 10 mm in the superior-inferior direction, a period of 5 seconds, and an initial phase of zero.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.86-90
• /
• 1997

This study was to find a more accurate method fur measuring small vancomycin dosages which are commonly used in neonates by comparing single and double dilution method. For single dilution method, 500 mg of vancomycin powder was accurately measured and reconstituted with 5 ml of distilled water to make a concentration of 100 mg/ml. Volumes of 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 ml, which equal the target dosages of 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg, were measured using syringes made by Shina and each sample was further diluted with 2 ml of $5\%$ dextrose. The solution of 100 mg/ml concentration was further diluted with $5\%$ dextrose to make a concentration of 20 mg/ml. Volumes of 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 ml, which correspond to 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg, were sampled by the same Shina's syringe as in single dilution method and then each sample was further diluted to make a total volume of 10 ml. Each sample was analyzed by HPLC. The measured dosages of each sample in both single and double dilution methods were lower than the target dosages; however, e values in double dilution method were higher than those in single dilution method for seven target dosages. Percent target dosages in single dilution method were 65 to $90\%$, while in double dilution method 91 to $94\%$. Statistically significant difference between two groups was shown in 5, 10, 15, 20, and 40 mg dosages (p<0.05). In conclusion, when preparing small vancomycin dosages lower an 20 mg $(volume{\leq}0.2\;ml)$, using Shina's syringes, the double dilution method has a closer value to the target dosage than single dilution method.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.247-251
• /
• 2013

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate efficient approaches for determining internal target volume (ITV) from four-dimensional computed tomography (4D CT) images used in stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: 4D CT images were analyzed for 15 patients who received SBRT for stage I NSCLC. Three different ITVs were determined as follows: combining clinical target volume (CTV) from all 10 respiratory phases ($ITV_{10Phases}$); combining CTV from four respiratory phases, including two extreme phases (0% and 50%) plus two intermediate phases (20% and 70%) ($ITV_{4Phases}$); and combining CTV from two extreme phases ($ITV_{2Phases}$). The matching index (MI) of $ITV_{4Phases}$ and $ITV_{2Phases}$ was defined as the ratio of $ITV_{4Phases}$ and $ITV_{2Phases}$, respectively, to the $ITV_{10Phases}$. The tumor motion index (TMI) was defined as the ratio of $ITV_{10Phases}$ to $CTV_{mean}$, which was the mean of 10 CTVs delineated on 10 respiratory phases. Results: The ITVs were significantly different in the order of $ITV_{10Phases}$, $ITV_{4Phases}$, and $ITV_{2Phases}$ (all p < 0.05). The MI of $ITV_{4Phases}$ was significantly higher than that of $ITV_{2Phases}$ (p < 0.001). The MI of $ITV_{4Phases}$ was inversely related to TMI (r = -0.569, p = 0.034). In a subgroup with low TMI (n = 7), $ITV_{4Phases}$ was not statistically different from $ITV_{10Phases}$ (p = 0.192) and its MI was significantly higher than that of $ITV_{2Phases}$ (p = 0.016). Conclusion: The $ITV_{4Phases}$ may be an efficient approach alternative to optimal $ITV_{10Phases}$ in SBRT for early-stage NSCLC with less tumor motion.