Dosimetric validation of a commercial Monte Carlo based IMRT planning system.

Purpose: Recently a commercial Monte Carlo based IMRT planning system (Monaco version 1.0.0) was released.

A comparison of an algorithm for automated sequential beam orientation selection (Cycle) with simulated annealing.

Some time ago we developed and published a new deterministic algorithm (called Cycle) for automatic selection of beam orientations in radiotherapy. This algorithm is a plan generation process aiming at the prescribed PTV dose within hard dose and dose-volume constraints. The algorithm allows a large number of input orientations to be used and selects only the most efficient orientations, surviving the selection process.

Computer optimization of noncoplanar beam setups improves stereotactic treatment of liver tumors.

Purpose: To investigate whether computer-optimized fully noncoplanar beam setups may improve treatment plans for the stereotactic treatment of liver tumors.

Methods: An algorithm for automated beam orientation and weight selection (Cycle) was extended for noncoplanar stereotactic treatments. For 8 liver patients previously treated in our clinic using a prescription isodose of 65%, Cycle was used to generate noncoplanar and coplanar plans with the highest achievable minimum planning target volume (PTV) dose for the clinically delivered isocenter and mean liver doses, while not violating the clinically applied hard planning constraints.

Automated selection of beam orientations and segmented intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for treatment of oesophagus tumors.

Background And Purpose: For some treatment sites, there is evidence in the literature that five to nine equi-angular input beam directions are enough for generating IMRT plans. For oesophagus cancer, there is a report showing that going from four to nine beams may even result in lower quality plans. In this paper, our previously published algorithm for automated beam angle selection (Cycle) has been extended to include segmented IMRT.

Automated beam angle and weight selection in radiotherapy treatment planning applied to pancreas tumors.

Purpose: To extend and investigate the clinical value of a recently developed algorithm for automatic beam angle and beam weight selection, for irradiation of pancreas tumors.

Methods And Materials: The algorithm aims at generation of acceptable treatment plans, i.e.