Feasibility of radical cardiac-sparing, treatment planning strategies for patients with locally advanced, non-small cell lung cancer.

Purpose: A set of treatment planning strategies were designed and retrospectively implemented for locally advanced, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients in order to minimize cardiac dose without compromising target coverage goals.

Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed for 20 NSCLC patients prescribed to 60-66 Gy that received a mean heart dose (MHD) ≥10 Gy. Three planning approaches were designed and implemented.