TU‐CD‐304‐06: Using FFF Beams Improves Tumor Control in Radiotherapy of Lung Cancers

Abstract

Purpose:Electron disequilibrium at the lung‐tumor interface results in an under‐dosage of tumor regions close to its surface. This under‐dosage is known to be significant and can compromise tumor control. Previous studies have shown that in FFF beams, disequilibrium effects are less pronounced, which is manifested in an increased skin dose. In this study we investigate the improvement in tumor dose coverage that can be achieved with FFF beams. The significance of this improvement is evaluated by comparing tumor control probabilities of FFF beams and conventional flattened beams.Methods:The dosimetric coverage was investigated in a virtual phantom representing the chest wall, lung tissue and the tumor. A range of tumor sizes was investigated, and two tumor locations – central and adjacent to the chest wall. Calculations were performed with BEAMnrc Monte Carlo code. Parallel‐opposed and multiple coplanar 6‐MV beams were simulated. The tumor control probabilities were calculated using the logistic model with parameters derived from clinical data for non‐small lung cancer patients.Results:FFF beams were not entirely immune to disequilibrium effects. They nevertheless consistently delivered more uniform dose distribution throughout the volume of the tumor, and eliminated up to ∼15% of under‐dosage in the most affected by disequilibrium 1‐mm thick surface region of the tumor. A voxel‐by‐voxel comparison of tumor control probabilities between FFF and conventional flattened beams showed an advantage of FFF beams that, depending on the set up, was from a few to ∼9 percent.Conclusion:A modest improvement in tumor control probability on the order of a few percent can be achieved by replacing conventional flattened beams with FFF beams. However, given the large number of lung cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, these few percent can potentially prevent local tumor recurrence for a significant number of patients.