The superiority of hybrid-volumetric arc therapy (VMAT) technique over double arcs VMAT and 3D-conformal technique in the treatment of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer--a planning study

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the dosimetric performance of three different treatment techniques - conformal radiotherapy (CRT), double arcs volumetric modulated arc therapy (RapidArc, RA) and Hybrid-RapidArc (H-RA) for locally-advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Material and methods: CRT, RA and H-RA plans were optimized for 24 stage III NSCLC patients. The target prescription dose was 60Gy. CRT consisted of 5-7 coplanar fields, while RA comprised of two 204(o) arcs. H-RA referred to two 204(o) arcs plus 2 static fields, which accounted for approximately half of the total dose. The plans were optimized to fulfill the departmental plan acceptance criteria.

Results: RA and H-RA yielded a 20% better conformity compared with CRT. Lung volume receiving >20Gy (V20) and mean lung dose (MLD) were the lowest in H-RA (V20 1.7% and 2.1% lower, MLD 0.59Gy and 0.41Gy lower than CRT & RA respectively) without jeopardizing the low-dose lung volume (V5). H-RA plans gave the lowest mean maximum spinal cord dose (34.4Gy, 3.9Gy<CRT and 2.2Gy<RA plans) and NTCP of lung. Higher average MU per fraction (addition 52.4MU) was observed with a reduced treatment time compared with CRT plans.

Conclusion: The H-RA technique was superior in dosimetric outcomes for treating locally-advanced NSCLC compared to CRT and RA.