Radiotherapy For Skull Base Tumors Research Articles

Dosimetric robustness against setup errors in charged particle radiotherapy of skull base tumors.

BackgroundIt is expected that physical dose deposition properties render charged particle dose distributions sensitive to targeting uncertainties. Purpose of this work was to investigate the robustness of scanned-beam particle therapy plans against setup errors for different optimization modalities, beam setups and ion species.Material and methodsFor 15 patients with skull base tumors, localized in regions of severe tissue density heterogeneity, scanned lateral-opposed-beam treatment plans were prepared with the treatment planning system TRiP98, employing different optimization settings (single- and multiple-field modulation) and ion species (carbon ions and protons). For 10 of the patients, additional plans were prepared with individually selected beam setups, aiming at avoiding severe tissue heterogeneities. Subsequently, multiple rigid positioning errors of magnitude 1–2 mm (i.e. within planning target expansion) were simulated by introducing a shift of the irradiation fields with respect to the computed tomography (CT) data and recomputing the plans.ResultsIn presence of shifts, in carbon ion plans using a lateral-opposed beam setup and fulfilling clinical healthy tissue dose constraints, the median reduction in CTV V95% was up to 0.7 percentage points (pp) and 3.5 pp, for shifts of magnitude 1 mm and 2 mm respectively, however, in individual cases, the reduction reached 5.1 pp and 9.7 pp. In the corresponding proton plans similar median CTV V95% reductions of up to 0.9 pp (1 mm error) and 3.4 pp (2 mm error) were observed, with respective individual-case reductions of at most 3.2 pp and 11.7 pp. Unconstrained plans offered slightly higher coverage values, while no relevant differences were observed between different field modulation methods. Individually selected beam setups had a visible dosimetric advantage over lateral-opposed beams, for both particle species. While carbons provided more conformal plans and generally more advantageous absolute dose values, in presence of setup errors, protons showed greater dosimetric stability, in most of the investigated scenarios.ConclusionResidual patient setup errors may lead to substantial dose perturbation in scanned-beam particle therapy of skull base tumors, which cannot be dealt with by planning target expansion alone. Choice of irradiation directions avoiding extreme density heterogeneities can improve plan stability against such delivery-time uncertainties.

Risk factors for brain injury after carbon ion radiotherapy for skull base tumors

Background and purposeThis study aimed to determine the risk factors for radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI) after carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for treating skull base tumors. Materials and methodsBetween April 1997 and January 2009, CIRT at a total dose of 48.0–60.8Gy equivalent (GyE) was administered in 16 fractions to 47 patients with skull base tumors. Of these patients, 39 who were followed up with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for more than 24months were analyzed. RIBI was assessed according to the MRI findings based on the Late Effects of Normal Tissue-Subjective, Objective, Management, Analytic criteria; clinical symptoms were assessed according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer tables. The correlations of clinical and dosimetric parameters with incidence of ⩾grade 2 RIBI were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsThe median follow-up period was 67months. The 5-year actuarial likelihoods of ⩾grade 2 RIBI and ⩾grade 2 clinical symptoms were 24.5% and 7.0%, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the brain volume receiving more than 50GyE (V50) was a significant risk factor for the development of ⩾grade 2 RIBI (p=0.004). ConclusionV50 was a significant risk factor for ⩾grade 2 RIBI after CIRT using a 16-fraction regimen.

Fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for skull base tumors: analysis of treatment accuracy using a stereotactic mask fixation system

BackgroundTo assess the accuracy of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) using a stereotactic mask fixation system.Patients and MethodsSixteen patients treated with FSRT were involved in the study. A commercial stereotactic mask fixation system (BrainLAB AG) was used for patient immobilization. Serial CT scans obtained before and during FSRT were used to assess the accuracy of patient immobilization by comparing the isocenter position. Daily portal imaging were acquired to establish day to day patient position variation. Displacement errors along the different directions were calculated as combination of systematic and random errors.ResultsThe mean isocenter displacements based on localization and verification CT imaging were 0.1 mm (SD 0.3 mm) in the lateral direction, 0.1 mm (SD 0.4 mm) in the anteroposterior, and 0.3 mm (SD 0.4 mm) in craniocaudal direction. The mean 3D displacement was 0.5 mm (SD 0.4 mm), being maximum 1.4 mm. No significant differences were found during the treatment (P = 0.4). The overall isocenter displacement as calculated by 456 anterior and lateral portal images were 0.3 mm (SD 0.9 mm) in the mediolateral direction, -0.2 mm (SD 1 mm) in the anteroposterior direction, and 0.2 mm (SD 1.1 mm) in the craniocaudal direction. The largest displacement of 2.7 mm was seen in the cranio-caudal direction, with 95% of displacements < 2 mm in any direction.ConclusionsThe results indicate that the setup error of the presented mask system evaluated by CT verification scans and portal imaging are minimal. Reproducibility of the isocenter position is in the best range of positioning reproducibility reported for other stereotactic systems.

Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy of Skull Base Tumors

The paradigm of skull base surgery has drastically changed over the last couple of years. Specifically, fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy has become more popular as a technique that allows control of skull base tumors with minimal morbidity. We discuss our experience with the use of an intensity modulated fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy system. We treated 30 patients over a 12-month period. Patients' pathology included meningiomas, pituitary tumor, acoustic tumors, and head and neck tumors. Volume of the lesions varied from 7 to 70 cc. Number of fractions varied from 2 to 33. Total delivered dose ranged from 15 to 64 Gy. In all patients the conformality index was ≤ 2.5 and the homogeneity index was < 2.

Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy of Skull Base Tumors

The paradigm of skull base surgery has drastically changed over the last couple of years. Specifically, fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy has become more popular as a technique that allows control of skull base tumors with minimal morbidity. We discuss our experience with the use of an intensity modulated fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy system. We treated 30 patients over a 12-month period. Patients' pathology included meningiomas, pituitary tumor, acoustic tumors, and head and neck tumors. Volume of the lesions varied from 7 to 70 cc. Number of fractions varied from 2 to 33. Total delivered dose ranged from 15 to 64 Gy. In all patients the conformality index was ≤ 2.5 and the homogeneity index was < 2.

Dose to the intracranial arteries in stereotactic and intensity-modulated radiotherapy for skull base tumors

To examine retrospectively the maximum dose to the large skull base/intracranial arteries in fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), because of the potential risk of perfusion disturbances. Overall, 56 patients with tumors adjacent to at least one major artery were analyzed. Our strategy was to perform FSRT with these criteria: 1.8 Gy per fraction, planning target volume (PTV) enclosed by the 95% isodose, maximum dose 107%. Dose limits were applied to established organs at risk, but not the vessels. If FSRT planning failed to meet any of these criteria, IMRT was planned with the same objectives. In 31 patients (median PTV, 23 cm3), the FSRT plan fulfilled all criteria. No artery received a dose > or =105%. Twenty-five patients (median PTV, 39 cm3) needed IMRT planning. In 11 of 25 patients (median PTV, 85 cm3), no plan satisfying all our criteria could be calculated. Only in this group, moderately increased maximum vessel doses were observed (106-110%, n = 7, median PTV, 121 cm3). The median PTV dose gradient was 29% (significantly different from the 14 patients with satisfactory IMRT plans). Three of the four patients in this group had paranasal sinus tumors. The doses to the major arteries should be calculated in IMRT planning for critical tumor locations if a dose gradient >13% within the PTV can not be avoided because the PTV is large or includes air cavities.

1424 POSTER Intracranial arteries as organs at risk in fractionated stereotactic and intensity-modulated radiotherapy for skull base tumors

Dryness of the mouth is one of the most distressing chronic toxicities of radiation therapy in head and neck cancers. In this study, parotid function was assessed in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancers undergoing intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with or without chemotherapy. Parotid function was assessed with the help of a questionnaire and parotid scintigraphy, especially with regards to unilateral sparing of the parotid gland.In total, 19 patients were treated with compensator-based IMRT between February 2003 and March 2004. The dose to the clinical target volume ranged between 66 and 70 Gy in 30–35 fractions to 95% of the isodose volume. Ipsilateral high-risk neck nodes received an average dose of 60 Gy and the contralateral low-risk neck received a dose of 54–56 Gy. Eight of 19 patients also received concomitant chemotherapy.Subjective toxicity to the parotid glands was assessed with the help of a questionnaire at 0, 3 and 6 months and objective toxicity was assessed with parotid scintigraphy at 0 and 3 months. The mean dose to the ipsilateral parotid gland ranged from 19.5 to 52.8 Gy (mean 33.14 Gy) and the mean dose to the contralateral gland was 11.1–46.6 Gy (mean 26.85 Gy). At a median follow-up of 13 months, 9/19 patients had no symptoms of dryness of the mouth (grade I), 8/19 had mild dryness of the mouth (grade II) and only 2/19 had grade III xerostomia, although the parotid gland could only be spared on one side in most of the patients.Minimising the radiation dose to one of the parotid glands with the help of IMRT in patients with advanced head and neck cancers can prevent xerostomia in most patients and parotid scintigraphy is a useful method of documenting xerostomia.

Brainstem tolerance to conformal radiotherapy of skull base tumors

The aim of this study was to analyze the long-term incidence of brainstem toxicity in patients treated for skull base tumors with high dose conformal radiotherapy. Between 1974 and 1995, 367 patients with chordomas (n = 195) and chondrosarcomas (n = 172) of the base of skull have been treated with combined megavoltage photon and 160 MeV proton radiotherapy. Following 3D treatment planning with delineation of target volumes and critical nontarget structures dose distributions and dose-volume histograms were calculated. Radiotherapy was given an 1.8 Gy or CGE (=Cobalt Gray Equivalent) dose per fraction, with prescribed target doses ranging from 63 CGE to 79.2 CGE (mean = 67.8 CGE). Doses to the brainstem surface were limited to < or = 64 CGE and to the brainstem center to < or = 53 CGE. Follow-up time ranged from 6 months to 21.4 years (mean = 42.5 months). Brainstem toxicity was observed in 17 of 367 patients attributable to treatment, resulting in death of three patients. Actuarial rates of 5 and 10-year high-grade toxicity-free survival were 94 and 88%, respectively. Increased risk of brainstem toxicity was significantly associated with maximum dose to brainstem, volume of brainstem receiving > or = 50 CGE, > or = 55 CGE, and > or = 60 CGE, number of surgical procedures, and prevalence of diabetes or high blood pressure. Multivariate analysis identified three independent factors as important prognosticators: number of surgical procedures (p < 0.001), volume of the brainstem receiving 60 CGE (p < 0.001), and prevalence of diabetes (p < 0.01). Tolerance of brainstem to fractionated radiotherapy appears to be a steep function of tissue volume included in high dose regions rather than the maximum dose of brainstem alone. In addition, presence of predisposing factors as well as extent of surgical manipulation can significantly lower brainstem tolerance in the individual patient.

73 Brainstem tolerance to conformal radiotherapy of skull base tumors

73 Brainstem tolerance to conformal radiotherapy of skull base tumors