Can protons improve SBRT for lung lesions? Dosimetric considerations.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to investigate potential dosimetric benefits of proton therapy for hypofractionated stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT).


METHODS
Twelve patients undergoing hypofractionated SBRT at the Medical University Vienna were selected. Passively scattered protons (PT) and intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) were evaluated against a conformal photon technique (3D-CRT), assuming a fractionation of 3x15Gy, prescribed to the 65% isodose. For all treatment techniques shallow breathing with abdominal compression (SB+AC) was compared with a deep inspiration breath hold technique (DIBH). Treatment planning was done with XiO (CMS, USA). Target conformity, dose-volume histograms (DVH) and various associated dosimetric parameters were considered for the planning target volume (PTV), lung, heart and esophagus.


RESULTS
For both breathing conditions conformity indices were very similar. They were between 0.75 and 0.78 for IMPT and 3D-CRT and around 0.55 for PT using 2-3 beams. Irrespective of treatment modality, DVHs for the ipsilateral lung were improved with the DIBH technique. For the PT technique, the 2Gy isodose (V2Gy) covered on average 7-9% less lung volume compared to 3D-CRT, for IMPT this reduction was more than 10%. Volumes covered the 4 and 6Gy isodoses were 2-4% smaller for IMPT, but very similar for PT and 3D-CRT. Both proton techniques achieved full sparing of the contralateral lung and superior sparing of the heart. Maximum doses to the heart and esophagus were on average around 3Gy for 3D-CRT and almost 0Gy for both proton techniques. For 3D-CRT average V2Gy values for the heart could be reduced from 64% in shallow breathing to 34% in DIBH. V2Gy for protons was negligible.


CONCLUSIONS
Only small dosimetric differences were found between photons and protons for SBRT of lung lesions. Whether these small dosimetric benefits translate in reduced side effects or have the potential to improve local control rates remains to be demonstrated in clinical studies.
Georg
Dietmar
D
Department of Radiotherapy, Medical University Vienna/AKH Vienna, Vienna, Austria. Dietmar.Georg@akhwien.at
Hillbrand
Martin
M
Stock
Markus
M
Dieckmann
Karin
K
Pötter
Richard
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061766:Proton Therapy; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000379:methods*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D011522:Protons
D011522:Protons