Development of advanced preselection tools to reduce redundant plan comparisons in model-based selection of head and neck cancer patients for proton therapy

In the Netherlands, patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) are selected for proton therapy using a model-based approach. In each patient, a photon vs. proton (Volumetric-Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) vs. Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT)) plan comparison is made to determine the expected normal tissue complication probability difference ( ΔNTCP) between the two modalities using normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) models [1–3]. According to the Dutch National Indication Protocol for Proton Therapy (NIPP), three NTCP models (≥ Grade 2 xerostomia [4], ≥ Grade 2 dysphagia [5] and tube feeding dependence [6]) and three Δ NTCP thresholds are used for patient selection: 1) ΔNTCP ≥10% for Grade ≥2; 2) ΔNTCP ≥5% for Grade ≥3; and 3) Summed risk reduction (ΣΔNTCP) ≥15% for the two Grade ≥2 toxicities.

Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology - April 20, 2021 Category: Radiology Authors: Makbule Tambas, Hans P. van der Laan, Wouter Rutgers, Johanna G.M. van den Hoek, Edwin Oldehinkel, Tineke W.H. Meijer, Arjen van der Schaaf, Daniel Scandurra, Jeffrey Free, Stefan Both, Roel J.H.M. Steenbakkers, Johannes A. Langendijk Tags: Original Article Source Type: research