A Novel Method for Improving VMAT Plan Quality and Deliverability

BACKGROUND: A new VMAT method called “Augmented Arc” (or simply Aug Arc) is proposed. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the validity of the proposed method in different clinical cases. Basically, Aug Arc refers to the portion(s) of the VMAT arc that is augmented with an additional arc to improve the plan quality. The Aug Arc portions in the Arc is determined using an objective function-based scoring method called “ψ – score”. METHODS: To validate our approach, we have applied it in four clinical cases: Lung, Abdomen, Gynecologic (Gyn) and Pancreas. Basically, for Lung and Pancreas cases, four sets of plans were created, which are: (1) Single arc plan (S Arc), (2) Double arc plan (D Arc), (3) Partial Arc plan without Aug Arc (P Arc) and (4) Partial plan with Aug Arc (P+Aug Arc). For Abdomen and Gyn cases, three sets of plans were created, which are: (1) Single arc plan (S Arc), (2) Double arc plan (D Arc) and (3) Single Arc with Aug Arc (S+Aug Arc). To compute the “ψ – score”, an initial optimization was performed by using full Arc with 4-degree gantry spacing. Subsequently, Aug Arc portions were identified using the ψ – score plot in the single arc and partial arc scenarios. RESULTS: The study finds that the proposed method is useful to improve the plan quality and plan deliverability for both centrically and non-centrically located tumors in terms of reducing the OAR dose, monitor units, beam on time and low dose volume without compromising the target coverage. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the proposed approach could strike a balance between full double arc and single arc or partial arc in such a way that the planner can find a sweet spot of delivery parameters that result in optimal plan quality.