Knowledge-based intensity-modulated radiotherapy plans for cervical cancer with overlap volume of target and organs at risk

Abstract

Objective: To compare the differences in the dose-volume histograms between knowledge-based intensity-modulated radiotherapy (K-IMRT) plans and conventional IMRT (C-IMRT) plans of 20 patients with cervical cancer. Methods: A total of 70 cervical cancer patients were selected in the present study. Of these, 60 patients were selected randomly as a model group. The remaining 10 patients with overlap volume of target and organs at risk were categorized as group E1 for open-loop verification. A total of 10 patients from the model group were selected randomly as group E2 for closed-loop verification. Results: The dose parameters of the target in the K-IMRT and C-IMRT plans showed no significant difference. The maximum dose and homogeneity index of group E2 showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) in their K-IMRT and C-IMRT plans. The dose parameters in the K-IMRT plans of organs at risk were superior to those in the C-IMRT plans. For group E1, V20 of the rectum, and V15, V20, and V25 of the left and right femoral heads in the K-IMRT plans decreased as compared with those in the C-IMRT plans (P < 0.05). For group E2, V25, V30, V35, and D50 of the bladder; V25 and V30 of the rectum; and V15, V20, and V25 of the left and right femoral heads in the K-IMRT plans decreased as compared with those in the C-IMRT plans (P < 0.05). Conclusion: It is feasible to optimize the IMRT plans for cervical cancer patients with the overlap volume of the target and organs at risk using knowledge-based radiation treatment automatically.