IMRT treatment planning:- a comparative inter-system and inter-centre planning exercise of the ESTRO QUASIMODO group.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this work was a comparison of realistic IMRT plans based on the same CT-image data set and a common predefined set of dose objectives for the planning target volume and the organs at risk. This work was part of the larger European QUASIMODO IMRT verification project.


METHODS
Eleven IMRT plans were produced by nine different European groups, each applying a representative set of clinically used IMRT treatment planning systems. The plans produced were to be deliverable in a clinically acceptable treatment time with the local technical equipment. All plans were characterized using a set of different quality measures such as dose-volume histograms, number of monitor units and treatment time.


RESULTS
Only one plan was able to fulfil all dose objectives strictly; six plans failed some of the objectives but were still considered to be clinically acceptable; four plans were not able to reach the objectives. Additional quality scores such as the number of monitor units and treatment time showed large variations, which mainly depend on the delivery technique.


CONCLUSIONS
The presented planning study showed that with nearly all presently available IMRT planning and delivery systems comparable dose distributions could be achieved if the planning goals are clearly defined in advance.
Bohsung
Jörg
J
Department of Radiotherapy, Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin, Germany. joerg.bohsung@charite.de
Gillis
Sofie
S
Arrans
Rafael
R
Bakai
Annemarie
A
De Wagter
Carlos
C
Knöös
Tommy
T
Mijnheer
Ben J
BJ
Paiusco
Marta
M
Perrin
Bruce A
BA
Welleweerd
Hans
H
Williams
Peter
P
D000886:Anthropometry; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011874:Radiometry; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results