Adding another dimension to plan evaluation: visualising the dose–volume histogram band in head and neck radiotherapy and exploring its utility. Issue 4 (18th April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Samanta, S.; Balukrishna, S.; Rafic, K.M.; Timothy Peace, B.S.; Singh, I.R.R.; Pavamani, S.P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of radiotherapy in practice. Volume 16:Issue 4(2016)
• Page Start: 403
• Page End: 408
• Publication Date: 2017-04-18
• Subjects: DVH band, -- head and neck cancer, -- photon therapy; Radiotherapy -- Periodicals; 615.842005
• DOI: 10.1017/S1460396917000206
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1460-3969

Abstract

Abstract: Background: To introduce a method to generate a 'dose–volume histogram (DVH) band' for plan evaluation of photon therapy and explore its various potentials. Materials and methods: Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plans for head and neck cancer patients were analysed, retrospectively, for setup errors noted during treatment. From the maximum observed random errors, absolute displacement was calculated using Euclidian formula. The original plan with same beam parameters and leaf sequence were used to generate six plans with shifts applied in three axes in six directions. The DVH curves from these six plans were superimposed to form the DVH band. Plans were reviewed with set tolerance criteria. Results: Method to generate and visualise DVH band was developed. DVH bands were created for 20 patients with head and neck cancer who underwent treatment with IMRT. It was found that seven out these 20 plans were rejected as they crossed the set tolerance criteria using DVH band as an evaluation tool. Conclusions: DVH band in photon therapy can help the clinician visualise the impact of setup errors at planning and may help select the plan with lesser influence of setup errors over another.