Optimization approaches to volumetric modulated arc therapy planning. Issue 3 (25th February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Unkelbach, Jan; Bortfeld, Thomas; Craft, David; Alber, Markus; Bangert, Mark; Bokrantz, Rasmus; Chen, Danny; Li, Ruijiang; Xing, Lei; Men, Chunhua; Nill, Simeon; Papp, Dávid; Romeijn, Edwin; Salari, Ehsan
• Is Part Of: Medical physics. Volume 42:Issue 3(2015)
• Page Start: 1367
• Page End: 1377
• Publication Date: 2015-02-25
• Subjects: diseases -- optimisation -- radiation therapy; Optimization -- Numerical optimization -- Diseases; Radiation therapy; radiotherapy -- treatment plan optimization -- VMAT; Sequence analysis -- Intensity modulated radiation therapy -- Optimization -- Multileaf collimators -- Medical treatment planning -- Linear accelerators -- Drug delivery -- Spatial resolution -- Stochastic processes; Medical physics -- Periodicals; Medical physics; Geneeskunde; Natuurkunde; Toepassingen; Biophysics; Periodicals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 610.153
• DOI: 10.1118/1.4908224
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-2405

Abstract

Abstract : Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) has found widespread clinical application in recent years. A large number of treatment planning studies have evaluated the potential for VMAT for different disease sites based on the currently available commercial implementations of VMAT planning. In contrast, literature on the underlying mathematical optimization methods used in treatment planning is scarce. VMAT planning represents a challenging large scale optimization problem. In contrast to fluence map optimization in intensity‐modulated radiotherapy planning for static beams, VMAT planning represents a nonconvex optimization problem. In this paper, the authors review the state‐of‐the‐art in VMAT planning from an algorithmic perspective. Different approaches to VMAT optimization, including arc sequencing methods, extensions of direct aperture optimization, and direct optimization of leaf trajectories are reviewed. Their advantages and limitations are outlined and recommendations for improvements are discussed.