Observation of intrafraction prostate displacement through the course of conventionally fractionated radiotherapy for prostate cancer

Abstract

Intrafraction prostate displacement (IFPD) through the course of conventionally fractionated radiotherapy was observed by real-time tracking. IFPD was observed by using a CyberKnife real-time tracking system over 39 serial fractions in two patients. Stereoscopic X-ray images tracking the implanted fiducial markers were obtained with mean intervals of 58 s. In preparation for treatment, urination was performed routinely 1 h before treatment and rectal gas was evacuated if necessary. Patients were immobilized by a thermoplastic body shell. The maximal absolute values of IFPD in all 78 fractions were 7.9, 2.1, and 11.5 mm in cranio-caudal (CC), left-right (LR), and antero-posterior (AP) direction, respectively. Only in 5 % of fractions (4/78 fractions), the maximal absolute values of IFPD were 5.0 mm or larger. In these fractions, large IFPD was temporary or persistent. IFPD of ≥3 mm was detected in only ~2-3 % of all obtained tracking images. Daily maximal IFPD changed day by day. Although maximal IFPD was more than 10 mm, IFPD of ≥3 mm was observed in a comparatively small proportion of treatment time. Through the course of conventionally fractionated radiotherapy, fractions with IFPD of ≥5 mm were infrequent.