增强CT定位对非小细胞肺癌三维适形放疗计划参数的影响

[目的]观察非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)三维适形放疗(3D-CRT)中增强CT定位对放疗计划参数的影响.[方法]对97例在CT定位下拟行根治性3D-CRT的NSCLC患者,分别以CT平扫图像、增强CT图像勾画大体肿瘤靶区 (GTVCT和GTVCT+),分别制定放疗计划.[结果]增强CT明显改变35例(36.1％)患者PTV和/或GTV.增强CT组与平扫CT组的计划参数GTV的体积(VGTV)、受照射量≥45Gy的食管占全食管体积的比例(VE45)和脊髓最大受照射剂量(SCM)差异有统计学意义(P均＜0.001).[结论]利用增强CT定位能更加准确地确定靶区,据此制定3D-CRT 可更优的覆盖靶区,降低脊髓、食管的受照射剂量.     

PET/CT下非小细胞肺癌三维适形放疗中肿瘤退缩及对治疗计划参数的影响

目的:观察PET/CT下非小细胞肺癌(NSCLC)三维适形放疗(3D-CRT)中肿瘤退缩对靶区周围危及器官治疗计划参数的影响.方法:分析在PET/CT定位下行根治性3D-CRT的NSCLC患者55例,根据PET/CT融合图像勾画初始肿瘤放疗靶区,给予根治剂量处方量60~66 Gy/30~33 f 制定3D-CRT计划;放疗20次40 Gy时根据肿瘤退缩情况重新CT定位勾画靶区,修改照射野后重新制定放疗计划完成治疗.比较两次定位影像上GTV的体积VGTV(cm3)、PTV的体积VPTV(cm3) 差异;并对初始放疗计划和实际完成的计划靶区周围危及器官的剂量分布进行比较.结果:55例NSCLC患者中,除1例GTV体积增大(1.77cm3,4%)外,其余54例GTV体积均有不同程度缩小(6%~67%),差异有统计学意义(t=6.635,P=0.000).相应的,除1例PTV体积增大(17.13cm3,8%)外,其余54例PTV体积均有不同程度缩小(3%~59%),差异有统计学意义(t=8.045,P=0.000).两种计划参数VGTV、VPTV、VL20、VR20、SCM、MSD、MLD、MRD、MHD、ESM差异有统计学意义(P=0.000、0.000、0.000、0.000、0.001、0.000、0.000、0.000、0.002、0.031).结论:在NSCLC放疗过程中,肿瘤体积发生明显变化,而根据肿瘤退缩情况适时缩野、重新制定放疗计划,可显著降低肺及脊髓的受照射剂量,为提高靶区剂量、优化放疗计划提供了可能.     

18FDG PET/CT定位三维适形放疗结合介入治疗原发性肝癌的疗效和预后分析

目的:研究18FDG PET/CT定位三维适形常规分割放疗结合肝动脉化疗栓塞(TACE)治疗原发性肝癌的疗效、不良反应及失败原因。方法:对64例原发性肝癌患者用信封法随机分为18FDG PET/CT定位三维适形放疗组(PET/CT组)和普通CT定位三维适形放疗组(普通CT组)。PET/CT组用PET/CT扫描定位,经PET/CT扫描后将扫描数据输入治疗计划系统,将PET图像和CT图像融合后进行靶区(GTV与PTV)和重要脏器勾画、三维重建,制定治疗计划后常规分割三维适形放疗40Gy左右,然后适当缩野放疗至总剂量50Gy-60Gy;普通CT组用普通CT定位设野,三维适形放疗至相同剂量;两组放疗后均结合4-6周期TACE治疗。结果:PET/CT组共有18例显示GTV有改变,其中7例增大,6例缩小,5例GTV形状改变;放疗后全组AFP值显著下降;PET/CT组的中位复发时间11.3个月,普通CT组的中位复发时间10.2个月,两者差异有显著性统计学意义(P=0.001)。两组死于局部未控、复发或转移者比例占总死亡原因的76.7%;多因素分析表明T分期早和疗前GTV≤100cm3者预后好(P均<0.01)。结论:PET/CT定位三维适形放疗原发性肝癌可以优化放疗计划,结合介入治疗可以延长中位复发时间,分期早的病变预后好。     

食管癌三维适形放疗中靶区移位与剂量学研究

目的:利用融合图像观察食管癌适形放疗过程中肿瘤区(GTV)的移位及体积变化情况,分析靶区变化对其受照剂量的影响,探讨食管癌三维适形放疗(3D-CRT)中二次定位的必要性及可行性.方法:40例食管癌患者接受3D-CRT,照射30 Gy后行二次CT模拟定位.制定两套计划,治疗计划1(Plan 1)按前半程追加处方剂量至60 GY;治疗计划2(Plan 2)将后半程与前半程进行图像融合,总处方剂量60 GY,观察两套计划中GTV、CTV和PTV的受照剂量.结果:1)40例患者GTV几何中心在X、Y、Z轴上的移位分别为0.3、0.7和0.3 cm,二次定位后的GTV体积、CT最大横径、最大前后径均较治疗前明显缩小,长度无明显缩短.2)Plan 1中PTV2D95较PTV1D95减少约8.38%.3)Plan 2中PTV2D95>PTV1D95.4)肿瘤长度>7 cm、主动脉受侵者在Plan 1中PTV2D95明显小于长度≤7 cm及主动脉受侵阴性者.结论:食管癌3D-CRT过程中同时存在靶区移位及靶区缩小两种情况,由于靶区移位,可能会使PTV 95%体积接受的剂量减少约8.38%,肿瘤长度较大合并主动脉受侵者建议行疗中二次CT定位以修正靶区剂量.     

术后复发性膀胱癌PET/CT定位三维适形放疗的疗效分析

目的:对比研究术后复发性膀胱癌经18FDG PET/CT定位适形放疗的疗效、不良反应及失败原因。方法:对46例术后局部复发性膀胱癌患者随机分为18FDG PET/CT定位适形放疗组(PET/CT组)和普通CT定位适形放疗组(普通CT组)。PET/CT组用PET/CT扫描定位,将扫描数据输入三维治疗计划系统,将PET图像和CT图像融合后进行靶区(GTV与PTV)和重要脏器勾画、三维重建,制定计划后常规分割适形放疗40Gy左右,然后缩野放疗至总剂量60-66Gy;普通CT组用普通CT定位设野,三维适形放疗至相同剂量。结果:PET/CT组的平均PTV体积、膀胱V40、直肠V40分别比普通CT组小13.2cm3、5.8cm3、7.6cm3(P<0.01);放疗后6个月,两组CEA平均值分别下降为10.8ng/ml、11.7ng/ml(P<0.01);PET/CT组的中位复发时间11.2个月,普通CT组的中位复发时间9.1个月(P<0.01);PET/CT组的胃肠道与膀胱放射性不良反应低于普通CT组(P<0.05);疗前GTV≤50cm3者预后好。结论:PET/CT定位三维适形放疗术后复发性膀胱癌可以优化放疗计划,联合化疗可以延长中位复发时间,分期早者预后好。     

~(18)F-FDG-PET-CT模拟定位在Ⅲ期非小细胞肺癌放疗中的应用研究

背景与目的 PET-CT通过功能影像与解剖影像的结合,有利于更加准确地勾画非小细胞肺癌(non-small cell lung cancer,NSCLC)放射治疗靶区,PET-CT定位可能成为放疗模拟定位的新平台,而提高精确放疗的疗效.本研究试图探讨18F-FDG-PET-CT对CT难以界定的NSCLC放疗计划的影响.方法 对诊断明确的30例III期NSCLC患者进行治疗体位的PET-CT扫描,扫描数据传入GE Advantage Sim 6.0放疗工作站,放疗科医生与CT和核医学科医生分别根据CT、PET-CT融合图像进行临床分期与靶区勾画,并制定相应的放疗计划.选择大体肿瘤体积(gross tumor volume,GTV)、计划靶体积(planning tumor volume,PTV)、周围正常组织受量等指标进行统计学分析.结果 ①PET-CT改变临床分期:10%(3/30)的病例分期升高,10%(3/30)的病例分期降低;②PET-CT改变GTV和PTV:60%(18/30)的病例靶体积缩小,40%(12/30)的病例靶体积增大,其中体积发生明显变化者(变化>25%)占56.67%(17/30),但全组GTV、PTV变化不明显(P>0.05);③PET-CT改变治疗计划参数:给予相同的靶区剂量60 Gy/30次,PET参与后PTV变化者的周围正常组织受量均发生相应的变化,但各项指标全组变化不明显(P>0.05).结论 应用PET-CT模拟定位并勾画靶区,可避免靶区扩大或遗漏,对提高CT难以界定的III期NSCLC靶区精确性有重要意义.     

贲门癌调强适形放疗的剂量学研究

目的 用三维治疗计划系统评价调强放疗技术(IMRT)、三维适形技术(3D-CRT)和常规放疗技术在贲门癌应用上的剂量学差异.方法 回顾分析10例贲门癌患者的CT定位图像,利用三维治疗计划系统分别制作IMRT、3D-CRT和模拟常规计划,给予处方剂量4500 cGy.利用剂量体积直方图(DVH图)比较靶区以及危及器官的受照剂量.结果 3D-CRT和IMRT计划与常规计划相比,临床靶区(PTV)的平均剂量均明显提高(P＜0.05),IMRT计划与3D-CRT计划相比,大体肿瘤体积(GTV)的平均剂量增加更加明显(P＜0.05).3D-CRT计划与常规计划相比,在不增加肝脏平均剂量的情况下,减少了受照体积的百分数.IMRT和3D-CRT计划均可明显降低脊髓和心脏的最大受照剂量(P＜0.05),IMRT计划比3D-CRT计划更加减少了脊髓最大受照剂量(P＜0.05).结论 在贲门癌的放射治疗计划剂量分布中,IMRT优于3D-CRT和常规放疗技术.     

PET-CT在局部晚期非小细胞肺癌调强放疗中的应用

目的 探讨PET-CT对局部晚期非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）临床分期的诊断及其融合图像下勾画靶区对调强放疗计划的影响。方法 对13例局部晚期NSCLC患者同一体位分别进行增强CT和PET同机扫描,图像重建后传输至三维治疗计划系统（3D-TPS）进行自动图像融合。PET-CT下诊断患者的分期;分别在CT、PET-CT融合图像上勾画靶区,设计放疗计划。患者均采用5野调强放疗,常规处方剂量60Gy／30f。比较两个计划的V20、全肺平均受量（MLD）、心脏平均受量、脊髓最大受量。结果 5例患者分期改变：3例升高,2例下降;CT下勾画靶区GTV、PTV分别为（159.35±84.44）cm3 、（442.12±172.57）cm3,显著高于PET-CT下勾画的GTV和PTV［（148.22±75.08）cm3 、（428.64±157.91）cm3］; PET CT下计划的全肺V20、MLD、心脏平均受量、脊髓最大受量等各项剂量学参数均优于CT下的计划（P＜0.05）。结论 PET-CT较CT更有利于局部晚期NSCLC放疗靶区的勾画,可以更好地保护周围正常组织和器官。     

18FDG PET/CT定位三维适形放疗结合介入治疗原发性肝癌的疗效和预后分析

目的：研究18FDG PET/CT定位三维适形常规分割放疗结合肝动脉化疗栓塞（TACE）治疗原发性肝癌的疗效、不良反应及失败原因。方法：对64例原发性肝癌患者用信封法随机分为18FDG PET/CT定位三维适形放疗组（PET/CT组）和普通CT定位三维适形放疗组（普通CT组）。PET/CT组用PET/CT扫描定位,经PET/CT扫描后将扫描数据输入治疗计划系统,将PET图像和CT图像融合后进行靶区（GTV与PTV）和重要脏器勾画、三维重建,制定治疗计划后常规分割三维适形放疗40Gy左右,然后适当缩野放疗至总剂量50Gy-60Gy;普通CT组用普通CT定位设野,三维适形放疗至相同剂量;两组放疗后均结合4-6周期TACE治疗。结果：PET/CT组共有18例显示GTV有改变,其中7例增大,6例缩小,5例GTV形状改变;放疗后全组AFP值显著下降;PET/CT组的中位复发时间11.3个月,普通CT组的中位复发时间10.2个月,两者差异有显著性统计学意义（P=0.001）。两组死于局部未控、复发或转移者比例占总死亡原因的76.7%;多因素分析表明T分期早和疗前GTV≤100cm3者预后好（P均〈0.01）。结论：PET/CT定位三维适形放疗原发性肝癌可以优化放疗计划,结合介入治疗可以延长中位复发时间,分期早的病变预后好。     

中晚期前列腺癌PET/CT定位三维适形放疗的疗效和预后分析

目的:探讨中晚期前列腺癌经¹⁸FDG PET/CT定位适形放疗的疗效、副反应及失败原因。方法:对68例中晚期前列腺癌患者随机分为¹⁸FDG PET/CT定位适形放疗组（PET/CT组）和普通CT定位适形放疗组（普通CT组）。PET/CT组用PET/CT扫描定位,将扫描数据输入三维治疗计划系统,将PET图像和CT图像融合后进行靶区（GTV与PTV）和重要脏器勾画、三维重建,制定计划后常规分割适形放疗40Gy左右,然后缩野放疗至总剂量60Gy～70Gy;普通CT组用普通CT定位设野,三维适形放疗至相同剂量。结果:PET/CT组的平均PTV体积、膀胱V40、直肠V40均小于普通CT组（P均<0.01）;两组放疗后PSA均明显下降（P均<0.01）;PET/CT组的中位复发时间12.1个月,普通CT组的中位复发时间9.2个月,两者差异有统计学意义（P<0.01）;PET/CT组的胃肠道与膀胱放射性副反应低于普通CT组（P均<0.05）;疗前GTV≤50cm³者预后好。结论:PET/CT定位三维适形放疗中晚期前列腺癌可以优化放疗计划,减少放射副反应,分期早的病变预后好。     

Increased therapeutic ratio by 18FDG-PET CT planning in patients with clinical CT stage N2-N3M0 non-small-cell lung cancer: a modeling study

PURPOSE: With this modeling study, we wanted to estimate the potential gain from incorporating fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scanning in the radiotherapy treatment planning of CT Stage N2-N3M0 non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty-one consecutive patients with clinical CT Stage N2-N3M0 NSCLC were studied. For each patient, two three-dimensional conformal treatment plans were made: one with a CT-based planning target volume (PTV) and one with a PET-CT-based PTV, both to deliver 60 Gy in 30 fractions. From the dose-volume histograms and dose distributions on each plan, the dosimetric factors predicting esophageal and lung toxicity were analyzed and compared. For each patient, the maximal tolerable prescribed radiation dose for the CT PTV vs. PET-CT PTV was calculated according to the constraints for the lung, esophagus, and spinal cord. From these results, the tumor control probability (TCP) was estimated, assuming a clinical dose-response curve with a median toxic dose of 84.5 Gy and a gamma(50) of 2.0. Dose-response curves were modeled, taking into account geographic misses according to the accuracy of CT and PET in our institutions. RESULTS: The gross tumor volume of the nodes decreased from 13.7 +/- 3.8 cm(3) on the CT scan to 9.9 +/- 4.0 cm(3) on the PET-CT scan (p = 0.011). All dose-volume characteristics for the esophagus and lungs decreased in favor of PET-CT. The esophageal V(45) (the volume of the esophagus receiving 45 Gy) decreased from 45.2% +/- 4.9% to 34.0% +/- 5.8% (p = 0.003), esophageal V(55) (the volume of the esophagus receiving 55 Gy) from 30.6% +/- 3.2% to 21.9% +/- 3.8% (p = 0.004), mean esophageal dose from 29.8 +/- 2.5 Gy to 23.7 +/- 3.1 Gy (p = 0.004), lung V(20) (the volume of the lungs minus the PTV receiving 20 Gy) from 24.9% +/- 2.3% to 22.3% +/- 2.2% (p = 0.012), and mean lung dose from 14.7 +/- 1.3 Gy to 13.6 +/- 1.3 Gy (p = 0.004). For the same toxicity levels of the lung, esophagus, and spinal cord, the dose could be increased from 56.0 +/- 5.4 Gy with CT planning to 71.0 +/- 13.7 Gy with PET planning (p = 0.038). The TCP corresponding to these doses was estimated to be 14.2% +/- 5.6% for CT and 22.8% +/- 7.1% for PET-CT planning (p = 0.026). Adjusting for geographic misses by PET-CT vs. CT planning yielded TCP estimates of 12.5% and 18.3% (p = 0.009) for CT and PET-CT planning, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this group of clinical CT Stage N2-N3 NSCLC patients, use of FDG-PET scanning information in radiotherapy planning reduced the radiation exposure of the esophagus and lung, and thus allowed significant radiation dose escalation while respecting all relevant normal tissue constraints. This, together with a reduced risk of geographic misses using PET-CT, led to an estimated increase in TCP from 13% to 18%. The results of this modeling study support clinical trials investigating incorporation of FDG-PET information in CT-based radiotherapy planning.     

PET/CT对非小细胞肺癌临床分期及精确放疗计划的影响

目的 观察PET／CT对非小细胞肺癌（NSCLC）临床分期和靶区勾画的作用,探讨PET／CT对其精确放疗计划的影响。方法 对拟行根治性放疗或手术治疗的58例确诊的NSCLC患者进行PET／CT检查。参照1997年WHO肺癌分期标准,判定PET／CT对NSCLC临床分期的影响,再分别以CT图像、PET／CT融合图像勾画大体靶区（GTV）,以相同参数制定三维适形放疗（3D-CRT）计划。选择GTV体积（V GTV）、受照量≥20Gy的肺占全肺体积的比例（V20）、平均全肺受照剂量（MLD）、肿瘤控制概率（TCP）、正常组织并发症概率（NTCP）、脊髓受照剂量（Ds）等指标进行统计学对比研究,评价两个计划的优劣,分析PET／CT对NSCLC精确放疗计划的影响。结果 PET／CT使21例（36．2％）的临床分期发生改变,其中分期升高者14例,下降者7例,使16例（27．6％）的治疗计划因而发生改变,32例手术患者中,术后病理结果与PET／CT分期一致者29例,假阴性1例,假阳性2例;PET／CT分期的敏感性为96．9％,准确性为90．6％。由PET／CT与由CT制定的放疗计划的VGTV、V20和MLD之间的差异均有统计学意义（P均〈0．01）,前者小于后者,而Ds、TCP、NTCP（左肺、右肺、皮肤、脊髓）的差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论 PET／CT对NSCLCS临床分期与术后病理分期的符合率高。应用PET／CT勾画靶区,在伴有肺不张和阻塞性肺炎时可明显减小GTV,可更好地保护周围正常肺组织;PET／CT检测纵隔淋巴结敏感性较CT高,可避免靶区遗漏。PET／CT可明显减小V20和MLD,从而有效地减少放射性肺炎的发生。PET／CT可在保证Ds、TCP和NTCP符合临床要求的前提下,更精确地确定NSCLC放疗靶区和制定放疗计划。     

Role of computed tomography and [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography image fusion in conformal radiotherapy of non-small cell lung cancer: a comparison with standard techniques with and without elective nodal irradiation

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Mediastinal elective node irradiation (ENI) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer candidate to radical radiotherapy is controversial. In this study, the impact of co-registered [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (PET) and standard computed tomography (CT) on definition of target volumes and toxicity parameters was evaluated, by comparison with standard CT-based simulation with and without ENI. METHODS: CT-based gross tumor volume (GTVCT) was first contoured by a single observer without knowledge of PET results. Subsequently, the integrated GTV based on PET/CT coregistered images (GTVPET/CT) was defined. Each patient was planned according to three different treatment techniques: 1) radiotherapy with ENI using the CT data set alone (ENI plan); 2) radiotherapy without ENI using the CT data set alone (no ENI plan); 3) radiotherapy without ENI using PET/CT fusion data set (PET plan). Rival plans were compared for each patient with respect to dose to the normal tissues (spinal cord, healthy lungs, heart and esophagus). RESULTS: The addition of PET-modified TNM staging in 10/21 enrolled patients (48%); 3/21 were shifted to palliative treatment due to detection of metastatic disease or large tumor not amenable to high-dose radiotherapy. In 7/18 (39%) patients treated with radical radiotherapy, a significant (> or =25%) change in volume between GTVCT and GTVPET/CT was observed. For all the organs at risk, ENI plans had dose values significantly greater than no-ENI and PET plans. Comparing no ENI and PET plans, no statistically significant difference was observed, except for maximum point dose to the spinal cord Dmax, which was significantly lower in PET plans. Notably, even in patients in whom PET/CT planning resulted in an increased GTV, toxicity parameters were fairly acceptable, and always more favorable than with ENI plans. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose-PET should be integrated in no-ENI techniques, as it improves target volume delineation without a major increase in predicted toxicity.     

Impact of computed tomography (CT) and 18F-deoxyglucose-coincidence detection emission tomography (FDG-CDET) image fusion for optimisation of conformal radiotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancers]

To report a retrospective study concerning the impact of fused 18F-fluorodeoxy-D-glucose (FDG)-hybrid positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) images on three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) planning for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and one patients consecutively treated for stages I-III NSCLC were studied. Each patient underwent CT and FDG-hybrid PET for simulation treatment in the same radiation treatment position. Images were coregistered using five fiducial markers. Target volume delineation was initially performed on the CT images and the corresponding FDG-PET data were subsequently used as an overlay to the CT data to define target volume. RESULTS: FDG-PET identified previously undetected distant metastatic disease in 8 patients making them ineligible for curative CRT (one patient presented some positive uptakes corresponding to concomitant pulmonary tuberculosis). Another patient was ineligible for curative treatment because fused CT/PET images demonstrated excessively extensive intrathoracic disease. The gross tumor volume (GTV) was decreased by CT/PET image fusion in 21 patients (23%) and was increased in 24 patients (26%). The GTV reduction was > or = 25% in 7 patients because CT/PET image fusion reduced pulmonary GTV in 6 patients (3 patients with atelectasis) and mediastinal nodal GTV in 1 patient. The GTV increase was > or = 25% in 14 patients due to an increase of the pulmonary GTV in 11 patients (4 patients with atelectasis) and detection of occult mediastinal lymph node involvement in 3 patients. Among 81 patients receiving a total dose > or = 60 Gy at ICRU point, after CT/PET image fusion, the percentage of total lung volume receiving more than 20 Gy (VL20) increased in 15 cases and decreased in 22 cases. The percentage of total heart volume receiving more than 36 Gy increased in 8 patients and decreased in 14 patients. The spinal cord volume receiving at least 45 Gy (2 patients) decreased. After multivariate analysis, one single independent factor made significant effect of FDG/PET on the modification of the size of the GTV: tumor with atelectasis (P = 0.0001). Conclusion. - Our study confirms that integrated hybrid PET/CT in the treatment position and coregistered images have an impact on treatment planning and management of patients with NSCLC. FDG images using dedicated PET scanners with modern image fusion techniques and respiration-gated acquisition protocols could improve CT/PET image coregistration. However, prospective studies with histological correlation are necessary and the impact on treatment outcome remains to be demonstrated.     

Clinical implications of defining the gross tumor volume with combination of CT and 18FDG-positron emission tomography in non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE: To compare the planning target volume (PTV) definitions for computed tomography (CT) vs. positron emission tomography (PET) in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 21 patients with NSCLC underwent three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy planning. All underwent a staging F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose-position emission tomography (18FDG-PET) scan and underwent treatment simulation using CT plus a separate planning 18FDG-PET scan. Three sets of target volumes were defined: Set 1, CT volumes (CT tumor + staging PET nodal disease); Set 2, PET volumes (planning PET tumor {gross tumor volume (GTV) = [(0.3069 x mean standardized uptake value) + 0.5853])}; Set 3, composite CT-PET volumes (fused CT-PET tumor). Sets 1 and 2 were compared using a matching index. Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy plans were created using the Set 1 (CT) volumes; and coverage of the Set 3 (composite) volumes was evaluated. Separate three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy plans were designed for the Set 3 volumes. RESULTS: For the primary tumor GTV, the Set 1 (CT) volume was larger than the Set 2 (PET) volume in 48%, smaller in 33%, and equal in 19%. The mean matching index was 0.65 (35% CT-PET mismatch). Although quantitatively similar, the volumes differed qualitatively. The Set 3 (composite) volume was larger than either CT or PET alone in 62%, smaller in 24%, and equal in 14%. The dose-volume histogram parameters did not differ among the plans for Set 1 (CT) vs. Set 3 (composite) volumes. Small portions of the Set 3 PTV were significantly underdosed in 40% of cases using the CT-only plan. CONCLUSION: Computed tomography and PET are complementary and should be obtained in the treatment position and fused to define the GTV for NSCLC. Although the quantitative absolute target volume is sometimes similar, the qualitative target locations can be substantially different, leading to underdosage of the target when planning is done using CT alone without PET fusion.     

Impact of geometrical uncertainties on 3D CRT and IMRT dose distributions for lung cancer treatment

PURPOSE: To quantify the effect of set-up errors and respiratory motion on dose distributions for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Irradiations of 5 NSCLC patients were planned with 3 techniques, two (conformal radiation therapy (CRT) and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT1)) with a homogeneous dose in the planning target volume (PTV) and a third (IMRT2) with dose heterogeneity. Set-up errors were simulated for gross target volume (GTV) and organs at risk (OARs). For the GTV, the respiration was also simulated with a periodical motion around a varying average. Two configurations were studied for the breathing motion, to describe the situations of free-breathing (FB) and respiration-correlated (RC) CT scans, each with 2 amplitudes (5 and 10 mm), thus resulting in 4 scenarios (FB_5, FB_10, RC_5 and RC_10). Five thousand treatment courses were simulated, producing probability distributions for the dosimetric parameters. RESULTS: For CRT and IMRT1, RC_5, RC_10 and FB_5 were associated with a small degradation of the GTV coverage. IMRT2 with FB_10 showed the largest deterioration of the GTV dosimetric indices, reaching 7% for Dmin at the 95% probability level. Removing the systematic error due to the periodic breathing motion was advantageous for a 10 mm respiration amplitude. The estimated probability of radiation pneumonitis and acute complication for the esophagus showed limited sensitivity to geometrical uncertainties. Dmax in the spinal cord and the parameters predicting the risk of late esophageal toxicity were associated to a probability up to 50% of violating the dose tolerances. CONCLUSIONS: Simulating the effect of geometrical uncertainties on the individual patient plan should become part of the standard pre-treatment verification procedure.     

Impact of FDG-PET on radiation therapy volume delineation in non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE: Locoregional failure remains a significant problem for patients receiving definitive radiation therapy alone or combined with chemotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Positron emission tomography (PET) with [(18)F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) has proven to be a valuable diagnostic and staging tool for NSCLC. This prospective study was performed to determine the impact of treatment simulation with FDG-PET and CT on radiation therapy target volume definition and toxicity profiles by comparison to simulation with computed tomography (CT) scanning alone. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with Stages I-III NSCLC were studied. Each patient underwent sequential CT and FDG-PET simulation on the same day. Immobilization devices used for both simulations included an alpha cradle, a flat tabletop, 6 external fiducial markers, and a laser positioning system. A radiation therapist participated in both simulations to reproduce the treatment setup. Both the CT and fused PET/CT image data sets were transferred to the radiation treatment planning workstation for contouring. Each FDG-PET study was reviewed with the interpreting nuclear radiologist before tumor volumes were contoured. The fused PET/CT images were used to develop the three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) plan. A second physician, blinded to the results of PET, contoured the gross tumor volumes (GTV) and planning target volumes (PTV) from the CT data sets, and these volumes were used to generate mock 3DCRT plans. The PTV was defined by a 10-mm margin around the GTV. The two 3DCRT plans for each patient were compared with respect to the GTV, PTV, mean lung dose, volume of normal lung receiving > or =20 Gy (V20), and mean esophageal dose. RESULTS: The FDG-PET findings altered the AJCC TNM stage in 8 of 26 (31%) patients; 2 patients were diagnosed with metastatic disease based on FDG-PET and received palliative radiation therapy. Of the 24 patients who were planned with 3DCRT, PET clearly altered the radiation therapy volume in 14 (58%), as follows. PET helped to distinguish tumor from atelectasis in all 3 patients with atelectasis. Unsuspected nodal disease was detected by PET in 10 patients, and 1 patient had a separate tumor focus detected within the same lobe of the lung. Increases in the target volumes led to increases in the mean lung dose, V20, and mean esophageal dose. Decreases in the target volumes in the patients with atelectasis led to decreases in these normal-tissue toxicity parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Radiation targeting with fused FDG-PET and CT images resulted in alterations in radiation therapy planning in over 50% of patients by comparison with CT targeting. The increasing availability of integrated PET/CT units will facilitate the use of this technology for radiation treatment planning. A confirmatory multicenter, cooperative group trial is planned within the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group.     

Impact of hybrid fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography on radiotherapy planning in esophageal and non-small-cell lung cancer

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a hybrid fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) scanner in radiotherapy planning for esophageal and non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 30 patients (16 with esophageal cancer, 14 with NSCLC) underwent an FDG-PET/CT for radiotherapy planning purposes. Noncontrast total-body spiral CT scans were obtained first, followed immediately by FDG-PET imaging which was automatically co-registered to the CT scan. A physician not involved in the patients' original treatment planning designed a gross tumor volume (GTV) based first on the CT dataset alone, while blinded to the FDG-PET dataset. Afterward, the physician designed a GTV based on the fused PET/CT dataset. To standardize PET GTV margin definition, background liver PET activity was standardized in all images. The CT-based and PET/CT-based GTVs were then quantitatively compared by way of an index of conformality, which is the ratio of the intersection of the two GTVs to their union. RESULTS: The mean index of conformality was 0.44 (range, 0.00-0.70) for patients with NSCLC and 0.46 (range, 0.13-0.80) for patients with esophageal cancer. In 10 of the 16 (62.5%) esophageal cancer patients, and in 12 of the 14 (85.7%) NSCLC patients, the addition of the FDG-PET data led to the definition of a smaller GTV. CONCLUSION: The incorporation of a hybrid FDG-PET/CT scanner had an impact on the radiotherapy planning of esophageal cancer and NSCLC. In future studies, we recommend adoption of a conformality index for a more comprehensive comparison of newer treatment planning imaging modalities to conventional options.