Evaluation of hybrid inverse planning and optimization (HIPO) algorithm for optimization in real‐time, high‐dose‐rate (HDR) brachytherapy for prostate

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of the HIPO planning and optimization algorithm for real‐time prostate HDR brachytherapy. This study consists of 20 patients who underwent ultrasound‐based real‐time HDR brachytherapy of the prostate using the treatment planning system called Oncentra Prostate (SWIFT version 3.0). The treatment plans for all patients were optimized using inverse dose‐volume histogram–based optimization followed by graphical optimization (GRO) in real time. The GRO is manual manipulation of isodose lines slice by slice. The quality of the plan heavily depends on planner expertise and experience. The data for all patients were retrieved later, and treatment plans were created and optimized using HIPO algorithm with the same set of dose constraints, number of catheters, and set of contours as in the real‐time optimization algorithm. The HIPO algorithm is a hybrid because it combines both stochastic and deterministic algorithms. The stochastic algorithm, called simulated annealing, searches the optimal catheter distributions for a given set of dose objectives. The deterministic algorithm, called dose‐volume histogram–based optimization (DVHO), optimizes three‐dimensional dose distribution quickly by moving straight downhill once it is in the advantageous region of the search space given by the stochastic algorithm. The PTV receiving 100% of the prescription dose ([Formula: see text]) was 97.56% and 95.38% with GRO and HIPO, respectively. The mean dose ([Formula: see text]) and minimum dose to 10% volume ([Formula: see text]) for the urethra, rectum, and bladder were all statistically lower with HIPO compared to GRO using the student pair t‐test at 5% significance level. HIPO can provide treatment plans with comparable target coverage to that of GRO with a reduction in dose to the critical structures. PACS number: 87.55.‐X