Analysis of Changes in Dose Distribution due to Respiration in Respiratory-Gated Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) for Lung Tumors Using 4D-CT

Abstract Aim: To estimate the Gross Tumor Volume (GTV) using different modes (axial, helical, slow, KV-CBCT & 4D-CT) of computed tomography (CT) in pulmonary tumors. Materials & Methods: We have retrospectively included ten previously treated case of carcinoma of primary lung or metastatic lung using Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) in this study. All the patients underwent 4 modes of CT scan Axial, Helical, Slow & 4D-CT using GE discovery 16 Slice PET-CT scanner and daily KV-CBCT for the daily treatment verification. For standardization, all the patients underwent different modes of scan using 2.5 mm slice thickness, 16 detectors rows and field of view of 400mm. Slow CT was performed using axial mode scan by increasing the CT tube rotation time (typically 3 – 4 sec.) as per the breathing period of the patients. 4D-CT scans were performed and the entire respiratory cycle was divided into ten phases. Maximum Intensity Projections (MIP), Minimum Intensity Projections (MinIP) and Average Intensity Projections (AvIP) were derived from the 10 phases. GTV volumes were delineated for all the patients in all the scanning modes (GTVAX - Axial, GTVHL - Helical, GTVSL – Slow, GTVMIP -4DCT and GTVCB – KV-CBCT) in the Eclipse treatment planning system version 11.0 (M/S Varian Medical System, USA). GTV volumes were measured, documented and compared with the different modes of CT scans. Results: The mean ± standard deviation (range) for MIP, slow, axial, helical & CBCT were 36.5 ± 40.5 (2.29 – 87.0), 35.38 ± 39.52 (2.1 – 82), 31.95 ± 37.29 (1.32 – 66.9), 28.98 ± 33.36 (1.01 – 65.9) & 37.16 ± 42.23 (2.29 – 92). Overall underestimation of helical scan and axial scan compared to MIP is 21% and 12.5%. CBCT and slow CT volume has a good correlation with the MIP volume. Conclusion: For SBRT in lung tumors better to avoid axial and helical scan for target delineation. MIP is a still a golden standard for the ITV delineation, but in the absence of 4DCT scanner, Slow CT and KV-CBCT data may be considered for ITV delineation with caution.

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Exceeding Radiation Dose to Volume Parameters for the Proximal Airways with Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Is More Likely for Ultracentral Lung Tumors and Associated with Worse Outcome

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13143463 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (14) ◽

pp. 3463

Author(s):

Mark Farrugia ◽

Sung Jun Ma ◽

Mark Hennon ◽

Chukwumere Nwogu ◽

Elisabeth Dexter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Radiation Therapy ◽

Propensity Score ◽

Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy ◽

Performance Status ◽

Bronchial Tree ◽

Lung Tumors ◽

Gender Performance ◽

Dose Fractionation ◽

Stereotactic Body Radiation ◽

History Of

The preferred radiotherapeutic approach for central (CLT) and ultracentral (UCLT) lung tumors is unclear. We assessed the toxicity and outcomes of patients with CLT and UCLT who underwent definitive five-fraction stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). We reviewed the charts of patients with either CLT or UCLT managed with SBRT from June 2010–April 2019. CLT were defined as gross tumor volume (GTV) within 2 cm of either the proximal bronchial tree, trachea, mediastinum, aorta, or spinal cord. UCLT were defined as GTV abutting any of these structures. Propensity score matching was performed for gender, performance status, and history of prior lung cancer. Within this cohort of 83 patients, 43 (51.8%) patients had UCLT. The median patient age was 73.1 years with a median follow up of 29.9 months. The two most common dose fractionation schemes were 5000 cGy (44.6%) and 5500 cGy (42.2%) in five fractions. Multivariate analysis revealed UCLT to be associated with worse overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.9, p = 0.02) but not time to progression (TTP). Using propensity score match pairing, UCLT correlated with reduced non-cancer associated survival (p = 0.049) and OS (p = 0.03), but not TTP. Within the matched cohort, dosimetric study found exceeding a D4cc of 18 Gy to either the proximal bronchus (HR = 3.9, p = 0.007) or trachea (HR = 4.0, p = 0.02) was correlated with worse non-cancer associated survival. In patients undergoing five fraction SBRT, UCLT location was associated with worse non-cancer associated survival and OS, which could be secondary to excessive D4cc dose to the proximal airways.

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