SU-E-T-595: Comparison of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) and Static Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT)...

This planning study compares VMAT and static gantry, sliding window IMRT for malignant pleural mesothelioma for post pleurectomy.

We compared plans for a left sided (L) and a right sided case (R). Plans used clinically approved planning target volumes (PTVs) and critical organ contours. IMRT plans employed 7-8 6 MV photon beam directions over a 215° range centered on the ipsilateral lung. VMAT plans used 4 partial arcs within the same range and energy. Prescription dose per fraction was 1.8 Gy; case L went to 50.4 Gy, case R to 46.8 Gy. Planning objectives were: Lyman model NTCP for both lungs < 25%; contralateral lung, mean dose < 8 Gy; heart, V30 Gy < 50%, mean < 30 Gy; Each Kidney, V18 Gy < 33%; liver_not_GTV, mean < 30 Gy, V30 Gy < 50%; stomach not PTV, mean < 30 Gy; cord maximum < 45 Gy; bowel maximum < 55 Gy, D05 < 45 Gy; PTV D95 = 94%, V95 = 94%, D05 = 115%. Dose calculation was done with the AAA algorithm.

VMAT and IMRT both met the dosimetric constraints. The VMAT MU were 887 (L)_and 896 (R) and for IMRT were 1691 (L) and 2409 (R). IMRT required 14-16 fields (wide-field splitting). The delivery times were 8 minutes (VMAT) and 20 minutes (IMRT). For coverage and plan homogeneity parameters within 1.5% - 2%, VMAT better spared organs at risk.

Both VMAT and IMRT are feasible techniques for the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma with intact lungs, with less MU and a shorter delivery time for VMAT. Additional cases must be planned to test generality of our preliminary results.