TH‐CD‐209‐11: Simulation Study of Real‐Time‐Image Gating On Spot Scanning Proton Therapy for Lung Tumors

Abstract

Purpose:To study the impact of a real‐time‐image gating on spot scanning proton therapy for lung tumors and to examine the suitable size of the gating window (GW).Methods:We investigated a real‐time‐image gated proton therapy (RGPT), in which two fluoroscopic units monitor a gold sphere fiducial in real‐time, and the proton beam is irradiated only when the marker enters within the pre‐assigned GW. We designed 5 treatment plans for 7 lung cancer patients: RGPT with a GW of ±1, 2, 5, and 8 mm and free‐breathing proton therapy (FBPT) using the end‐exhale and average images of 4‐dimensional (4D) CT, respectively. 70 Gy(RBE)/10fr was prescribed to 99% of the targets. The time‐series data of the three‐dimensional marker positions (RTRT data) were grouped into 10 phases to associate with the phases of 4DCT. The 4D dose distributions were calculated using the plan information, RTRT Data, 4DCT, and modeled accelerator pattern. The dose distribution in each respiratory phase was deformed into the end‐exhale CT. The D99 and D5‐95 of CTV (with a criteria of D99>95% and D5‐95<5%), V20 of Lung‐GTV, and treatment times were evaluated.Results:GWs ≤ ±2 mm satisfied the criteria of CTV in all cases, whereas GWs ≥ ±5 mm did not satisfy the criteria in some cases. The V20 was reduced by more than 18.9% (relative to FBPT) for GW ≤ ±2 mm, but equaled or even surpassed the FBPT for GWs ≥ ±5 mm. The irradiation times for the ±1, 2, 5, and 8 mm GWs and FBPT were 372.4±208.3, 215.2±51.5, 180.9±31.6, 178.4±21.2, and 140.1±15.2 s, respectively. The GW of ±1 mm caused large variation in irradiation time among the patients.Conclusion:In RGPT for lung cancer, the most suitable GW, in terms of good dose preservation without prolonging the therapeutic beam delivery, is ±2 mm.