Image Based Brachytherapy in Carcinoma Cervix Using Single Pre-Brachy MRI - A Single Institution Experience (original) (raw)
Related papers
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 2014
Background: CT based brachytherapy allows 3-dimensional (3D) assessment of organs at risk (OAR) doses with dose volume histograms (DVHs). The purpose of this study was to compare computed tomography (CT) based volumetric calculations and International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) reference-point estimates of radiation doses to the bladder and rectum in patients with carcinoma of the cervix treated with high-dose-rate (HDR) intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT). Materials and Methods: Between March 2011 and May 2012, 20 patients were treated with 55 fractions of brachytherapy using tandem and ovoids and underwent post-implant CT scans. The external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) dose was 48.6Gy in 27 fractions. HDR brachytherapy was delivered to a dose of 21 Gy in three fractions. The ICRU bladder and rectum point doses along with 4 additional rectal points were recorded. The maximum dose (D Max) to rectum was the highest recorded dose at one of these five points. Using the HDRplus 2.6 brachyhtherapy treatment planning system, the bladder and rectum were retrospectively contoured on the 55 CT datasets. The DVHs for rectum and bladder were calculated and the minimum doses to the highest irradiated 2cc area of rectum and bladder were recorded (D 2cc) for all individual fractions. The mean D 2cc of rectum was compared to the means of ICRU rectal point and rectal D Max using the Student's t-test. The mean D 2cc of bladder was compared with the mean ICRU bladder point using the same statistical test .The total dose, combining EBRT and HDR brachytherapy, were biologically normalized to the conventional 2 Gy/fraction using the linear-quadratic model. (α/β value of 10 Gy for target, 3 Gy for organs at risk). Results: The total prescribed dose was 77.5 Gyα/β10. The mean dose to the rectum was 4.58±1.22 Gy for D 2cc , 3.76±0.65 Gy at D ICRU and 4.75±1.01 Gy at D Max. The mean rectal D 2cc dose differed significantly from the mean dose calculated at the ICRU reference point (p<0.005); the mean difference was 0.82 Gy (0.48-1.19Gy). The mean EQD2 was 68.52±7.24 Gy α/β3 for D 2cc , 61.71±2.77 Gy α/β3 at D ICRU and 69.24±6.02 Gy α/β3 at D Max. The mean ratio of D 2cc rectum to D ICRU rectum was 1.25 and the mean ratio of D 2cc rectum to D Max rectum was 0.98 for all individual fractions. The mean dose to the bladder was 6.00±1.90 Gy for D 2cc and 5.10±2.03 Gy at D ICRU. However, the mean D 2cc dose did not differ significantly from the mean dose calculated at the ICRU reference point (p=0.307); the mean difference was 0.90 Gy (0.49-1.25Gy). The mean EQD2 was 81.85±13.03 Gy α/β3 for D 2cc and 74.11±19.39 Gy α/β3 at D ICRU. The mean ratio of D 2cc bladder to D ICRU bladder was 1.24. In the majority of applications, the maximum dose point was not the ICRU point. On average, the rectum received 77% and bladder received 92% of the prescribed dose. Conclusions: OARs doses assessed by DVH criteria were higher than ICRU point doses. Our data suggest that the estimated dose to the ICRU bladder point may be a reasonable surrogate for the D 2cc and rectal D Max for D 2cc. However, the dose to the ICRU rectal point does not appear to be a reasonable surrogate for the D 2cc .
Effects of shielding on pelvic and abdominal IORT dose distributions
Physica Medica, 2016
To study the impact of shielding elements in the proximity of Intra-Operative Radiation Therapy (IORT) irradiation fields, and to generate graphical and quantitative information to assist radiation oncologists in the design of optimal shielding during pelvic and abdominal IORT. Method: An IORT system was modeled with BEAMnrc and EGS++ Monte Carlo codes. The model was validated in reference conditions by gamma index analysis against an experimental data set of different beam energies, applicator diameters, and bevel angles. The reliability of the IORT model was further tested considering shielding layers inserted in the radiation beam. Further simulations were performed introducing a bone-like layer embedded in the water phantom. The dose distributions were calculated as 3D dose maps. Results: The analysis of the resulting 2D dose maps parallel to the clinical axis shows that the bevel angle of the applicator and its position relative to the shielding have a major influence on the dose distribution. When insufficient shielding is used, a hotspot nearby the shield appears near the surface. At greater depths, lateral scatter limits the dose reduction attainable with shielding, although the presence of bone-like structures in the phantom reduces the impact of this effect. Conclusions: Dose distributions in shielded IORT procedures are affected by distinct contributions when considering the regions near the shielding and deeper in tissue: insufficient shielding may lead to residual dose and hotspots, and the scattering effects may enlarge the beam in depth. These effects must be carefully considered when planning an IORT treatment with shielding.
Journal of Contemporary Brachytherapy
Purpose: Smit sleeves are used to facilitate insertion of the intrauterine tandem during brachytherapy for cervical cancer. When a tandem and ovoids system is used the base of the Smit sleeve displaces the ovoids distally. The dosimetric impact of this displacement is not known. Herein we performed a dosimetric analysis to quantify this impact on the integral dose and dose delivered to the organs at risk (OARs). Material and methods: Eleven high-dose-rate brachytherapy plans in which a Smit sleeve was used with a tandem and ovoids were reviewed. A second set of plans was generated modifying the position of the ovoids to simulate absence of the Smit sleeve. The high-risk clinical tumor volume (HR-CTV) dose coverage was maintained the same for both sets of plans by appropriately rescaling the dwell times of the simulated plan. The mean integral dose, D 2cc to the OARs (bladder, bowel, sigmoid and rectum) and the ICRU rectum point dose were compared between the original and modified plans using a paired two-sample t-test. Results: Simulating removal of the Smit sleeve was associated with an average reduction in the mean integral dose of 6.1% (p < 0.001) and an average reduction of 10.9% (p = 0.004) to the rectal D 2cc. Doses to the remaining OARs decreased to a lesser magnitude with only that of the sigmoid being statistically significant. Conclusions: The use of a Smit sleeve with a tandem and ovoids system could lead to the delivery of a higher mean integral dose to achieve similar HR-CTV coverage. In addition, it could increase the dose to surrounding OARs, primarily the rectum. The clinical significance of these findings is unknown, but the potential dosimetric impact of using a Smit sleeve should be taken into consideration during the planning when this device is used.
International Journal of Cancer Therapy and Oncology, 2015
Purpose: To assess the dosimetry to organs at risk (OARs) in lithotomy position with a planned time-dose pattern obtained from supine position. Methods: The sample consists of thirty patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix, Stage II and III. Patients often feel discomfort in supine position (S position) when compared to lithotomy position (M position) due to relaxation of pelvic floor muscles after the insertion of applicator (tandem and ovoids) or before delivery of the treatment. Each patient was imaged with orthogonal X-ray radiographs simultaneously in two positions, i.e. S position and M position. Dwell time and dwell position pattern obtained from the optimized plan in S position was used to generate plan in M position. Following dose reference points (point A, pelvic wall points, bladder points, rectal, anorectum (AR point) and rectosigmoid (RS point) points) were identified for analysis in S and M positions. The dosimetric data for reference points generated by the Brachyvision TPS was analyzed. Results: Pelvic wall points registered lower doses in M position when compared to S position. Mean doses for right pelvic wall point (RPW) and left pelvic wall point (LPW) were reduced by-10.02 % and-11.5% in M position, respectively. International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) bladder point also registered lower doses in M position with a mean dose of-6.8%. Rectal point showed dose reduction by mean of-6.4%. AR and RS points showed an increased dose in M position by a mean of 16.5% and 10%, respectively. Conclusion: Current dosimetry procedure serves as a model with time-dose pattern planned for S position, but delivered in M position, without dose optimization. Prioritization of comfort and position can be considered in conjunction with optimization of dose.
International Journal of Medical Physics, Clinical Engineering and Radiation Oncology, 2018
Background: Treatment of Cervical cancer includes a combination of external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) with intracavitary brachytherapy (ICBT). ICBT helps to boost radiation dose to primary disease. Organs like rectum, bladder, sigmoid and small bowel lie close to the cervix region and these organs receive dose from EBRT as well as ICBT and we want to know the dose to these organ at risk (OAR). Materials & Methods: Dosimetric details of 174 ICBT applications done in 58 patients were retrospectively analysed. All patients received EBRT dose of 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions. All patients had ICBT, three sessions with 7 Gy prescribed to point A. Dosimetric data including dose to right and left point A and dose to OARs were recorded from Oncentra Planning System. Results: Mean dose to point A on right side was 6.89 Gy and left side was 6.91 Gy. Mean D2cc dose to rectum, bladder, sigmoid and small bowel was 3.5 Gy, 5.25 Gy, 4.75 Gy and 4.2 Gy respectively. Mean EQD2 dose combining EBRT and ICBT in point A was 78.7 Gy on right side and 79 Gy on left side. Mean EQD2 doses to D2cc of rectum, bladder, sigmoid and small bowel was 62 Gy, 74.4 Gy, 70.5 Gy and 66.5 Gy respectively. Conclusion: From the results of this dosimetric study it is evident that OARs like rectum, sigmoid, bladder & bowel are receiving only acceptable doses of radiation using point A prescribed CT based ICBT planning. Hence with regards to OAR doses, CT based ICBT planning with dose prescribed to point A is a feasible option.
Brachytherapy
PURPOSE/INTRODUCTION: To assess the variation in the doses received by the organs at risk (OARs) that can occur during treatment planning of cervical cancer by image-based brachytherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: After intracavitary application, two sets of imagesdCT and MRIdwere obtained. The two sets of images were fused together with respect to the applicator. Contouring was done separately on CT and MR images. Dose received by the OARs on CT images with respect to the plans made on the MR images was estimated and compared with those on the MR images. RESULTS: Although there was always a difference between the dose received by the OARs based on the CT and MRI contours, it was not significant for the bladder and rectum; 2 cc doses differed by 0.49 Gy (AE0.44) p 5 0.28 for the bladder and 0.30 Gy (AE0.29) p 5 0.16 for the rectum. The 1 cc and 0.1 cc differences were also not significant. However for the sigmoid colon, there was significant intrafraction variation in the 2 cc doses 0.61 (AE0.6) p 5 0.001, 1 cc doses 0.73 (AE0.67) Gy p 5 0.00, and 0.1 cc dose 0.97 (AE0.93) Gy p 5 0.009. CONCLUSIONS: The variation in the doses to the OARs must be considered while weighing target coverage against overdose to the OARs. Although not significant for the bladder and rectum, it was significant for the sigmoid colon. Estimated doses to OARs on the planning system may not be the same dose delivered at the time of treatment. Ó
Influence of brachytherapy applicators geometry on dose distribution in cervical cancer
Strahlentherapie und Onkologie, 1997
Aim: Although the relationship between the dose delivered to adjacent organs (urinary bladder and rectum) and the frequency and severity of treatment complications has been reported in many series, the factors influencing pelvic dose distribution ate not welt defined. The aim of the study was to assess retrospectively the influence of the size of cervical cancer brachytherapy applicators (ovoids and uterine tandems) on pelvic dose distribution and the impact of various therapy-dependent factors on patient anatomy and on dose distribution in particular applications. Patients and Method: The subject of this study were 356 cervical cancer patients treated with Selectron LDR as a part of their radical radiotherapy. Analysed factors included preceding external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) or brachytherapy applications, use of general anaesthesia for application and the system of pellet loading. Results: Significant correlation was found between the size of applicators and doses to bladder, rectum and points B: larger vaginal applicators produced lower dose in bladder and rectum and higher dose in point B (all p < 0.0001), longer uterine tandems produced lower dose in rectum and higher dose in point B (both p < 0.0001). Significant decrease in the frequency of use of large applicators (ovoids: p < 0.0001, tandems: p = 0.055) and worsening of dose distribution, i.e. higher doses to critical organs (respectively: bladder p = 0.0012, rectum p = 0.02) and lower point B dose (p = 0,0001) were observed at consecutive brachytherapy applications. Similar situation occurred in patients, who received EBRT prior to brachytherapy (ovoids: p < 0.001, tandem: p = 0.04, bladder dose: p=0.009, rectal dose: p=0.073, point B dose: p=0.059). Vaginal applicators were larger (p = 0.026) and the dose distribution was better (bladder: p = 0.023, rectum: p = 0.002, point B: p = 0.0001) in patients who had their insertions performed under general anaesthesia. The comparison of 2 consecutively used systems of pellet loading revealed more favourable dose distribution: lower dose for bladder (p = 0.014) and higher dose for point B (p < 0.0001) for the system, which utilised more sources in ovoids and in the distal part of the uterine tandem, in spite of more frequent use of smaller applicators in this group of patients. In multivariate analysis ovoid size was related to preceding external beam radiotherapy (p = 0.025). Uterine tandem length was dependent on the number of preceding intracavitary applications (p < 0.001) and preceding external beam radiotherapy (p = 0.007). Bladder dose was related to preceding brachytherapy (p = 0.011) and the pattern of pellet loading (p =0.031). Rectal dose was dependent only on the use of general anaesthesia during application (p = 0.001) and point B dose was dependent on the pattern of pellet loading (p < 0.001) and marginally -on the use of preceding external beato radiotherapy (p = 0.06), Conelusions: The results of this study allow for identification of treatment-related factors determining pelvic dose distribution in cervical cancer brachytherapy and may potentially enable optimisation of this distribution in particular clinical situation.
Dose Assessment of the Rectum during Brachytherapy of the Cervix Using Gafchromic Films
Internal radiation therapy, refers to as brachytherapy, involve putting a source of radiation with high photon in or near a cancerous tissues. The type of brachytherapy used most often to treat cervical cancer is known as intracavitary brachytherapy. Unfortunately however, the radiation source placed in the cervix irradiate the normal tissues of rectum and other nearby organs during intracavitary brachytherapy of the cervix treatment. This high doses received by parts of the rectum is a concern for clinicians and the general public. The aim of this study is to assess the dose delivered to the rectum using Gafchromic films and compare it with the optimized dose calculated by the Brachy Prowess 4.60 Treatment Planning System (TPS) reports for empirical validation and system verification. Fletcher suite applicators were used to perform thirty (30) different clinical insertions on the constructed cervix phantom and results evaluated. The mean difference between the doses calculated by the TPS and the doses measured by the Gafchromic film for the rectum at the distance of 0.5cm from the edges of the film was 23.1% (range-42.42 to +40.41). At a distance of 1.5cm for the rectum the mean was 22.5% (range-49.45 to +46.48). The TPS calculated maximum dose was typically higher than the measured maximum dose. However, in some cases, the measured doses were found to be higher than the doses calculated by the TPS. This is due to positional inaccuracies of the sources during treatment planning. It is recommended that in vivo dosimetry should be performed in addition to computation.