title: Shared data for intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) optimization research: the CORT dataset.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We provide common datasets (which we call the CORT dataset: common optimization for radiation therapy) that researchers can use when developing and contrasting radiation treatment planning optimization algorithms. The datasets allow researchers to make one-to-one comparisons of algorithms in order to solve various instances of the radiation therapy treatment planning problem in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), including beam angle optimization, volumetric modulated arc therapy and direct aperture optimization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We provide datasets for a prostate case, a liver case, a head and neck case, and a standard IMRT phantom. We provide the dose-influence matrix from a variety of beam/couch angle pairs for each dataset. The dose-influence matrix is the main entity needed to perform optimizations: it contains the dose to each patient voxel from each pencil beam. In addition, the original Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) computed tomography (CT) scan, as well as the DICOM structure file, are provided for each case.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Here we present an open dataset - the first of its kind - to the radiation oncology community, which will allow researchers to compare methods for optimizing radiation dose delivery.
authors: Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 02114 Boston, MA USA.
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Craft
authors: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Bangert
authors: University of Michigan, 48109 Ann Arbor, Michigan USA.
authors: Troy
authors: T
authors: Long
authors: Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 02114 Boston, MA USA.
authors: Dávid
authors: D
authors: Papp
authors: Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 02114 Boston, MA USA.
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Unkelbach
keywords: Beam angle optimization; IMRT; Optimization; Radiation therapy; Treatment plan optimization; VMAT