Improvement of proton beam range uncertainty in breast treatment using tissue samples

Abstract

Objective. Proton therapy after breast-conserving surgery (BCS) can substantially reduce the dose to lung and cardiac structures. However, these dosimetric benefits are subject to beam range uncertainty in patient. The conversion of the CT-Hounsfield unit (HU) into relative stopping power (RSP) is the primary contribution to range uncertainty. Hence, an accurate HU-RSP conversion is essential. Approach. Real tissue samples, including muscle and adipose, were prepared. The water equivalent path length (WEPL) of these samples was measured under homogeneous conditions using a 12-diode detector array of our time-resolved in vivo range verification system (IRVS). The HU-RSP conversion was improved using the measured WEPL and HU for adipose tissue. The measured WEPL values were compared with the treatment planning calculation results based on the stoichiometric CT-HU calibration technique. The effect was investigated for both with and without adipose tissue in HU-RSP conversion. Main results. The IRVS was calibrated based on the solid water phantom. The relative differences in WEPL (RSP) between measurements and calculations for muscle, adipose, and water was −1.19% (−0.75%), −4.25%(−4%), and −0.23%(−0.07%), respectively. Based on the improved HU-RSP conversion, the relative differences in WEPL was reduced to −0.97%(−0.62%), −1.50%(−1.46%), and −0.22% (0.00%), respectively. Significance. The WEPL deviation of adipose tissue is larger than the testing limit of 3.5% for beam range robustness in current clinical practice. However, the improved HU-RSP conversion reduced this deviation. The main component of breast tissue is adipose. Hence, the proton treatment of BCS can be undershooting if no proper measures are taken against this specific uncertainty.