Predicting radiation treatment planning evaluation parameter using artificial intelligence and machine learning

Abstract

Purpose: This study suggested a new method predicting the dose-volume parameter for radiation treatment planning evaluation using machine learning, and to evaluate the performance of different learning algorithms in the parameter prediction. Methods: Dose distribution index (DDI) for fifty prostate volumetric modulated arc therapy plans were calculated, and compared to results predicted by machine learning using algorithms, namely, linear regression, tree regression, support vector machine (SVM) and Gaussian process regression (GPR). Root mean square error (RMSE), prediction speed and training time were determined to evaluate the performance of each algorithm. Results: From the results, it is found that the square exponential GPR algorithm had the smallest RMSE, relatively high prediction speed and short training time of 0.0038, 4,100 observation/s and 0.18 s, respectively. All linear regression, SVM and GPR algorithms performed well according to their RMSE in the range of 0.0038–0.0193. However, RMSE of the medium and coarse tree regression algorithms were found larger than 0.03, showing that they are not suitable for predicting DDI in this study. Conclusion: Machine learning can be used to predict dose-volume parameter such as DDI in radiation treatment planning QA. Selection of a suitable machine learning algorithm is important to determine the parameter effectively.