Reirradiation and stereotactic radiotherapy for tumors in the lung: dose summation and toxicity

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the accumulated dose and the toxicity after reirradiation for tumors in the lung using non-rigid registration.

Material and methods: Twenty patients with a tumor in the lung were reirradiated with or after stereotactic radiotherapy. The summed dose distribution was calculated using non-rigid registration. All doses were recalculated to an equivalent dose of 2 Gy per fraction (EQD2). The median follow-up time was 12 months (range 2-52).

Results: The median Dmax of the lung in the summed plans was 363 Gy3 (range 123-590). The median accumulated V20 of the lungs was 15.2%. Seven patients had in the heart and the trachea an accumulated dose ≥70 Gy3, with a median D(max) of the heart of 115 Gy3 and 89 Gy3 for the trachea. Eight patients had in the esophagus an accumulated dose ≥70 Gy3, with a median accumulated dose of 85 Gy3. No grade 3-5 toxicity was observed.

Conclusion: Reirradiation of the lung with or after stereotactic radiotherapy is feasible to a median Dmax of 363 Gy3 to the lung, as low toxicity was observed.

Keywords: Dose accumulation; Lung cancer; Reirradiation; Toxicity.