Assessment of the quality of very high-energy electron radiotherapy planning

Abstract

Background and purposeTo assess the quality of very-high energy electron (VHEE) scanning pencil beam radiation therapy in relation to state-of-the-art volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and to determine the extent of its application. Material and methodsWe planned five clinical cases with VHEE scanning pencil beams of 100 and 120MeV, equally distributed in a coplanar arrangement around the patient. The clinical cases included acoustic neuroma, and liver, lung, esophagus, and anal cancer cases. We performed Monte Carlo (MC) dose calculations and we optimized the dose in a research version of RayStation. VHEE plan performance was compared against clinically delivered VMAT. ResultsWith equal target coverage, mean doses to organs at risk (OARs) were on average 22% lower for the VHEE plans compared to the VMAT plans. Dose conformity was equal or superior compared to the VMAT plans and integral dose to the body was in average 14% (9–22%) lower for the VHEE plans. ConclusionsThe dosimetric advantages of VHEE as demonstrated for a variety of clinical cases, combined with the theoretical ultra fast treatment delivery, afford VHEE scanning pencil beam radiotherapy a suitable and potentially superior alternative for cancer radiotherapy.