Cone-beam computed tomographic image guidance for lung cancer radiation therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the geometric accuracy of lung cancer radiotherapy using daily volumetric, cone-beam CT (CBCT) image guidance and online couch position adjustment.


METHODS
Initial setup accuracy using localization CBCT was analyzed in three lung cancer patient cohorts. The first (n = 19) involved patients with early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated using stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). The second (n = 48) and third groups (n = 20) involved patients with locally advanced NSCLC adjusted with manual and remote-controlled couch adjustment, respectively. For each group, the couch position was adjusted when positional discrepancies exceeded +/-3 mm in any direction, with the remote-controlled couch correcting all three directions simultaneously. Adjustment accuracy was verified with a second CBCT. Population-based setup margins were derived from systematic (Sigma) and random (sigma) positional errors for each group.


RESULTS
Localization imaging demonstrates that 3D positioning errors exceeding 5 mm occur in 54.5% of all delivered fractions. CBCT reduces these errors; post-correction Sigma and sigma ranged from 1.2 to 1.9 mm for Group 1, with 82% of all fractions within +/-3 mm. For Group 2, Sigma and sigma ranged between 0.8 and 1.8 mm, with 76% of all treatment fractions within +/-3 mm. For Group 3, the remote-controlled couch raised this to 84%, and Sigma and sigma were reduced to 0.4 to 1.7 mm. For each group, the postcorrection setup margins were 4 to 6 mm, 3 to 4 mm, and 2 to 3 mm, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Using IGRT, high geometric accuracy is achievable for NSCLC patients, potentially leading to reduced PTV margins, improved outcomes and empowering adaptive radiation therapy for lung cancer.
Bissonnette
Jean-Pierre
JP
Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada. jean-pierre.bissonnette@rmp.uhn.on.ca
Purdie
Thomas G
TG
Higgins
Jane A
JA
Li
Winnie
W
Bezjak
Andrea
A
D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D016634:Radiosurgery; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*