Abstract:
Objective To study effective methods for reducing lung V5, V10, and mean lung dose (MLD) in the design of volumetric modulated arc therapy for central lung cancer by using different arc configurations and dose-limiting blocks designs.
Methods Five groups of plans were designed for the enrolled patients. Group A used a full-arc field. Group B used a partial-arc field. Groups C, D, and E used full-arc fields with vertical-length, semi-ring, and triangular dose-limiting blocks added respectively. The dosimetric similarities of target areas and the dosimetric differences in lung V5, V10, V20, and MLD among the groups were compared.
Results Compared with group A, groups B, C, D, and E had decreased homogeneity and conformity of the target area, but significantly lower V5 and V10 of the whole lung. The MLD of groups C, D, and E was lower than that of group A.
Conclusion Using a full-arc field combined with dose-limiting blocks can effectively reduce lung V5, V10, MLD, and monitor units (MU).