Physical models and simpler dosimetric descriptors of radiation late toxicity.
Predicting radiation damage to specific organs is becoming ever more challenging with the use of intensity-modulated beams, nonuniform dose distributions, partial organ irradiation, and interpatient and even intraorgan variations in radiation sensitivity. Data-based physical models can be of use in summarizing complicated dose-volume data to help describe clinical outcomes and ultimately aid in the prediction of clinical toxicity. This article attempts to provide a brief overview of the use of normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) models and other simple dose/volume metrics to describe a few clinically significant complications (either frequent or serious) associated with radiation therapy of the head and neck, thorax, and abdominal-pelvic regions. Specifically, it reviews the application of these methods for late toxicities of the parotid, lung, heart, spinal cord, liver, and rectum. It focuses on organ-specific NTCP parameters as well as simple dosimetric descriptors that might be used to help treatment plan evaluation in clinical practice.
Kong
Feng-Ming Spring
FM
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Fengkong@med.umich.edu
Pan
Charlie
C
Eisbruch
Avraham
A
Ten Haken
Randall K
RK
D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*