Technical Note: Dosimetric evaluation of Monte Carlo algorithm in iPlan for stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) for lung cancer patients using RTOG 0813 parameters

For stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) in lung cancer patients, Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) protocols currently require radiation dose to be calculated using tissue heterogeneity corrections. Dosimetric criteria of RTOG 0813 were established based on the results obtained from non‐Monte Carlo (MC) algorithms, such as superposition/convolutions. Clinically, MC‐based algorithms are now routinely used for lung SABR dose calculations. It is essential to confirm that MC calculations in lung SABR meet RTOG guidelines. This report evaluates iPlan MC plans for SABR in lung cancer patients using dose‐volume histogram normalization per current RTOG 0813 compliance criteria. Eighteen Stage I‐II non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with centrally located tumors, who underwent MC‐based lung SABR with heterogeneity correction using X‐ray Voxel Monte Carlo (XVMC) algorithm (BrainLAB iPlan version 4.1.2), were analyzed. Total dose of 60 Gy in 5 fractions was delivered to planning target volume (PTV) with at least [Formula: see text]. Internal target volumes (ITVs) were delineated on maximum intensity projection (MIP) images of 4D CT scans. PTV ([Formula: see text] margin) volumes ranged from 10.0 to 99.9 cc ([Formula: see text]). Organs at risk (OARs) were delineated on average images of 4D CT scans. Optimal clinical MC SABR plans were generated using a combination of non‐coplanar conformal arcs and beams for the Novalis‐TX consisting of high definition multileaf collimators (MLCs) and 6 MV‐SRS (1000MU/min) mode. All plans were evaluated using the RTOG 0813 high and intermediate dose spillage criteria: conformity index (R100%), ratio of 50% isodose volume to the PTV (R50%), maximum dose 2 cm away from PTV in any direction ([Formula: see text]), and percent of normal lung receiving [Formula: see text] or more. Other organs‐at‐risk (OARs) doses were tabulated, including the volume of normal lung receiving [Formula: see text] , maximum cord dose, dose to [Formula: see text] of heart, and dose to [Formula: see text] of esophagus. Only six out of 18 patients met all RTOG 0813 compliance criteria. Eight of 18 patients had minor deviations in R100%, four in R50%, and nine in [Formula: see text]. However, only one patient had minor deviation in [Formula: see text]. All other OARs doses, such as maximum cord dose, dose to [Formula: see text] of heart, and dose to [Formula: see text] of esophagus, were satisfactory for RTOG criteria, except for one patient, for whom the dose to [Formula: see text] of heart was higher than RTOG guidelines. The preliminary results for our limited iPlan XVMC dose calculations indicate that the majority (i.e., 2/3) of our patients had minor deviations in the dosimetric guidelines set by RTOG 0813 protocol in one way or another. When using an exclusive highly sophisticated XVMC algorithm, the RTOG 0813 dosimetric compliance criteria such as R100% and [Formula: see text] may need to be revisited. Based on our limited number of patient datasets, in general, about 6% for R100% and 9% for [Formula: see text] corrections could be applied to pass the RTOG 0813 compliance criteria in most of those patients. More patient plans need to be evaluated to make recommendation for R50%. No adjustment is necessary for OAR dose tolerances, including normal lung [Formula: see text]. In order to establish new MC specific dose parameters, further investigation with a large cohort of patients including central, as well as peripheral lung tumors, is anticipated and strongly recommended. PACS number: 8087