Characterization of kilovoltage x-ray image guidance system with a novel post-processing algorithm on a new slip ring-mounted radiotherapy system.

Purpose: This study evaluates the performance of a kilovoltage x-ray image-guidance system equipped with a novel post-processing optimization algorithm on the newly introduced TAICHI linear accelerator (Linac).

Methods: A comparative study involving image quality tests and radiation dose measurements was conducted across six scanning protocols of the kV-cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) system on the TAICHI Linac. The performance assessment utilized the conventional Feldkamp-Davis-Kress (FDK) algorithm and a novel Non-Local Means denoising and adaptive scattering correction (NLM-ASC) algorithm.

A novel X-Ray and γ-Ray combination strategy for potential dose escalation in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Background: Treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) has long been calling for advances in technology of radiotherapy. Patients who received radiotherapy still had high risks of local recurrence, while suffering from gastrointestinal side effects. Based on the inherent characteristics of the x-ray and γ-Ray radiation techniques, here we proposed and investigated an unexplored radiation therapy.

Clinical target volume automatic segmentation based on lymph node stations for lung cancer with bulky lump lymph nodes.

Background: The lack of standardized delineation of lymph node station in lung cancer radiotherapy leads to nonstandard clinical target volume (CTV) contouring, especially in patients with bulky lump gross target volume lymph nodes (GTVnd). This study defines lymph node region boundaries in radiotherapy for lung cancer and automatically contours lymph node stations based on the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) lymph node map.

Methods: Computed tomography (CT) scans of 200 patients with small cell lung cancer were collected.

Investigation of absolute dose calibration accuracy for TomoTherapy using real water.

A systematic bias in TomoTherapy output calibration was reported by the Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core Houston (IROC-H) after analyzing intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) credentialing results from hundreds of TomoTherapy units. Multiple theories were developed to explain this observation. One theory was that the use of a solid water "cheese" phantom instead of real water in the calibration measurement was the culprit.

Dosimetric comparison of tomotherapy and volumetric-modulated arc therapy for children with neuroblastoma.

Importance: Irradiation treatment for pediatric patients with neuroblastoma represents a major challenge due to the pediatric dose limits for critical structures and the necessity of sufficient dose coverage of the clinical target volume for local control.

Objective: To investigate dosimetric differences between tomotherapy (TOMO) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) as retroperitoneal radiotherapy for children with neuroblastoma.

Methods: Eight patients who received retroperitoneal radiotherapy for neuroblastoma were selected for comparison of TOMO and VMAT treatment plans.

Hypofractionated electron-beam radiation therapy for keloids: retrospective study of 568 cases with 834 lesions.

We aimed to analyze the outcomes of hypofractionated high-energy electron beam radiotherapy for the treatment of keloids. From February 1998 to January 2012, 568 patients with a total of 834 keloids underwent radiotherapy: 826 lesions with postoperative radiotherapy, and 36 with skin-grafting. Lesion size was >5 cm in 335 keloids.