Viability of Non-Coplanar VMAT for Liver SBRT as Compared to Coplanar VMAT and Beam Orientation Optimized 4π IMRT.
OBJECTIVE
The 4π static non-coplanar radiotherapy delivery technique has demonstrated better normal tissue sparing and dose conformity than the clinically used volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). It is unclear whether this is a fundamental limitation of VMAT delivery or the coplanar nature of its typical clinical plans. The dosimetry and the limits of normal tissue toxicity constrained dose escalation of coplanar VMAT, non-coplanar VMAT and 4π radiotherapy are quantified in this study.


METHODS
Clinical stereotactic body radiation therapy plans for 20 liver patients receiving 30-60 Gy using coplanar VMAT (cVMAT) were re-planned using 3-4 partial non-coplanar arcs (nVMAT) and 4π with 20 intensity-modulated non-coplanar fields. The conformity number (CN), homogeneity index (HI), 50% dose spillage volume (R50), normal liver volume receiving >15 Gy (VL>15), dose to organs at risk (OARs), and tumor control probability (TCP) were compared for all three treatment plans. The maximum tolerable dose (MTD) yielding a normal liver normal tissue control probability (NTCP) below 1%, 5%, and 10% was calculated with the Lyman-Kutcher-Burman model for each plan, as well as the resulting survival fractions at one, two, three, and four years.


RESULTS
Compared to cVMAT, the nVMAT and 4π plans reduced VL>15by an average of 5 cm3and 80 cm3, respectively. 4π reduced the 50% dose spillage volume by ~23% compared to both VMAT plans, and either significantly decreased or maintained OAR doses. The 4π MTDs and survival fractions were significantly higher than both cVMAT and nVMAT (p<0.05) for all normal liver NTCP limits used in this study.


CONCLUSIONS
The 4π technique provides significantly better OAR sparing than both cVMAT and vMAT and enables more clinically relevant dose escalation for tumor local control. Therefore, despite the current accessibility of nVMAT, it is not a viable alternative to 4π for liver SBRT.
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles.
Kaley
K
Woods
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles.
Dan
D
Nguyen
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles.
Angelia
A
Tran
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles.
Victoria Y
VY
Yu
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles.
Minsong
M
Cao
Translational Medicine Institute, Zhejiang University.
Tianye
T
Niu
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles.
Percy
P
Lee
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of California, Los Angeles.
Ke
K
Sheng