Dosimetric impact of intrafraction changes in MR-guided high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy for prostate cancer

To assess changes in implant and treatment volumes through the course of a prostate high-dose-rate brachytherapy procedure and their impact on plan quality metrics.

Sixteen MRI-guided high-dose-rate procedures included a post-treatment MR (ptMR) immediately after treatment delivery (135 min between MR scans). Target and organs at risk (OARs) were contoured, and catheters were reconstructed. The delivered treatment plan was applied to the ptMR image set. Volumes and dosimetric parameters in the ptMR were evaluated and compared with the delivered plan using a paired two-tailed t-test with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

An average increase of 8.9% in prostate volume was observed for whole-gland treatments, resulting in reduction in coverage for both prostate and planning target volume, reflected in decreased V₁₀₀ (mean 3.3% and 4.6%, respectively, p < 0.05), and D₉₀ (mean 7.1% and 7.6%, respectively, of prescription dose, p < 0.05). There was no significant change in doses to OARs. For partial-gland treatments, there was an increase in planning target volume (9.1%), resulting in reduced coverage and D₉₀ (mean 3.6% and 12.4%, respectively, p < 0.05). A decrease in D_0.5cc for bladder (3%, p < 0.05) was observed, with no significant changes in dose to other OARs.

Volumetric changes were observed during the time between planning MR and ptMR. Nonetheless, treatment plans for both whole- and partial-gland therapies remained clinically acceptable. These results apply to clinical settings in which patients remain in the same position and under anesthesia during the entire treatment process.