Treatment Of Posterior Tumors Research Articles

To evaluate the impact of beam quality in terms of distal fall-off (DFO, 90%-10%) and lateral penumbra (LP, 80%-20%) of single beam ocular proton therapy (OPT) and to derive resulting ideal requirements for future systems. Nine different beam models with DFO varying between 1 and 4mm and LP between 1 and 4mm were created. Beam models were incorporated into the RayStation with RayOcular treatment planning system version 10 B (RaySearch Laboratories, Stockholm, Sweden). Each beam model was applied for eight typical clinical cases, covering different sizes and locations of uveal melanoma. Plans with and without an additional wedge were created, resulting in 117 plans with a total prescribed median dose of 60Gy(RBE) to the clinical target volume. Treatment plans were analyzed in terms of V20-V80 penumbra volume, D1 (dose to 1% of the volume) for optic disc and macula, optic nerve V30 (volume receiving 30Gy(RBE), i.e., 50% of prescription), as well as average dose to lens and ciliary body. An LP-dependent aperture margin was based on estimated uncertainties, ranging from 1.7 to 4.0mm. V20-V80 showed a strong influence by LP, while DFO was less relevant. The optic disc D1 reached an extra dose of up to 3000cGy(RBE), comparing the defined technical limit of DFO=LP=1mm with DFO=3mm/LP=4mm. The latter may result from a pencil-beam scanning (PBS) system with static apertures. Plans employing a wedge showed an improvement for organs at risk sparing. Plan quality is strongly influenced by initial beam parameters. The impact of LP is more pronounced when compared to DFO. The latter becomes important in the treatment of posterior tumors near the macula, optic disc or optic nerve. The plan quality achieved by dedicated OPT nozzles in single- or double-scattering design might not be achievable with modified PBS systems.