Radiobiologically equivalent deformable dose mapping for re-irradiation planning: Implementation, robustness, and dosimetric benefits

Abstract

Background

Re-irradiation in radiotherapy presents complexities that require dedicated tools to generate optimal re-treatment plans. This study presents a robust workflow that considers fractionation size, anatomical variations between treatments, and cumulative bias doses to improve the re-irradiation planning process.

Methods

The workflow was automated in MIM® Software and the Elekta© Monaco® treatment planning system. Prior treatment doses are deformably mapped, converted to equivalent dose in 2 Gy fractions (EQD2), and accumulated onto the re-treatment planning CT. Two MIM extensions were developed to estimate voxel-wise dose mapping uncertainties and to convert the cumulative EQD2 into a physical dose distribution equivalent to the re-treatment fractionation size. This dose distribution is used in Monaco as bias to optimize the re-irradiation plan. The workflow was retrospectively tested with data from 14 patients, and the outcomes were compared to the manually optimized plans (MOPs) clinically utilized.

Results

Bias-dose guided plans (BDGPs) demonstrated a median reduction of the critical organ at risk (OAR) cumulative EQD2 metrics of 240 cGy (range: 1909 cGy, −187 cGy, p = 0.002). BDGPs allowed higher target coverage in cases where the MOP approach implied dose de-escalation of the target. The dose mapping uncertainties resulted in OAR cumulative EQD2 metrics increments ranging from 10 cGy to 730 cGy.

Conclusions

We introduced a re-irradiation planning workflow using commercially available software that accounts for anatomic and fraction size variations and improves planning efficiency. Employing voxel-level bias dose guidance demonstrated OAR-sparing benefits while maximizing prescription dose coverage to targets. The workflow’s robustness tools aid informed clinical decision-making.