skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Radiation Dose to the Lens During Craniospinal Irradiation-An Improvement in Proton Radiotherapy Technique

Journal Article · · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics
 [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA (United States)
  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (United States)

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of angle modification of cranial field proton beam therapy on the radiation dose delivered to the lens during craniospinal irradiation (CSI). Methods and Materials: Thirty-nine patients with central nervous system tumors who received CSI with a posterior fossa boost were analyzed for the radiation dose to the lens. Thirteen patients received cranial field treatment using standard opposed-lateral proton beams, and 26 patients received treatment with angled posterior-oblique proton beams. The lens dose in a test case also was evaluated by comparing conventional X-rays with the two proton beam planning methods by using a CMS/Xio three-dimensional planning system. Results: Substantial lens dose sparing was realized with the angling of the cranial proton beams 15{sup o}-20{sup o} to the posterior. In the 39 treated patients who were analyzed (median age, 7 years), average dose delivered to the lens was decreased by approximately 50% by angling of the proton beams, with the average maximum dose decreasing from 74% to 40% of the prescribed dose (p < 0.0001). Significant lens sparing was seen in patients 10 years and younger (median age, 6 years; p < 0.0001), whereas an insignificant decrease was seen in older patients (median age, 16 years; p = 0.14). With the opposed-lateral technique (median age, 6 years), the lens dose increased significantly with decreasing age (p = 0.002), whereas there was no effect of age on lens dose in the angled beam-treated group (median age, 8.5 years; p = 0.73). Conclusion: The present study clearly shows an advantage in sparing of the lens dose by angling the beams used during proton beam CSI. This effect is most pronounced in patients 10 years and younger because of anatomic effects of sinus development.

OSTI ID:
21124135
Journal Information:
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Vol. 70, Issue 5; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2007.08.027; PII: S0360-3016(07)03909-0; Copyright (c) 2008 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0360-3016
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Physiologic and Radiographic Evidence of the Distal Edge of the Proton Beam in Craniospinal Irradiation
Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2007 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics · OSTI ID:21124135

SU-E-T-337: Treatment Planning Study of Craniospinal Irradiation with Spot Scanning Proton Therapy
Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Medical Physics · OSTI ID:21124135

Vertebral Body Growth After Craniospinal Irradiation
Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 00:00:00 EDT 2008 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics · OSTI ID:21124135