Normal Brain and Organs at Risk Radiation Exposure in Multiple Coplanar and Non-Coplanar Arc Patterns of Volumetric-Modulated Radiotherapy for Glioblastoma Multiforme

摘要

The present study was designed to analyze whether beam geometry influences normal brain (NB) and organs at risk (OARs) radiation exposure in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) treatment. Three different volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans were generated for each of the 18 GBM patients using one arc (1A), two coplanar (2A) and three non-coplanar arcs (3A). Integral dose (ID) at low, mid and high dose level and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) of NB, alongside with meaningful dose and volume parameters for planning target volume (PTV) and OARs were computed and compared in order to evaluate overall plan quality. Based on our study’s data, for glioblastoma patients undergoing VMAT, increasing the number of arcs should be an approach tailored to the treatment plan, as it does not always provide added benefit and value for the patient.