Evaluating which plan quality metrics are appropriate for use in lung SBRT.

Objective: Several dose metrics in the categories-homogeneity, coverage, conformity and gradient have been proposed in literature for evaluating treatment plan quality. In this study, we applied these metrics to characterize and identify the plan quality metrics that would merit plan quality assessment in lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) dose distributions.

Methods: Treatment plans of 90 lung SBRT patients, comprising 91 targets, treated in our institution were retrospectively reviewed.