Influence of FDG-PET on Computed Tomography-Based Radiotherapy Planning for Locally Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou (China)
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou (China)
- Department of Radiology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou (China)
Purpose: Assuming F-18-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)/computed tomography (CT) to be more accurate in representing the true disease extent than CT alone, we prospectively designed this study to evaluate how the addition of FDG-PET influences CT-based radiotherapy planning for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Patients and Methods: All patients underwent FDG-PET/CT simulation scans. For each patient, the gross tumor volume (GTV) was separately delineated with or without the addition of PET information and defined as GTV{sub PET/CT} and GTV{sub CT}, respectively. Corresponding planning target volumes (PTV) were generated for the GTV{sub CT} (PTV{sub CT}) and GTV{sub PET/CT} (PTV{sub PET/CT}). Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy plans were separately created for PTV{sub CT} and PTV{sub PET/CT}. To assess the potential geographic miss of the PET/CT-based disease in CT-based treatment planning, the size and location of the GTV{sub PET/CT}, PTV{sub PET/CT}, and PTV{sub CT} were analyzed, and the three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy plans created using the PTV{sub CT} were evaluated with the GTV{sub PET/CT} and PTV{sub PET/CT} information. Results: A total of 43 patients were enrolled in this study. Distant metastasis was found in 4 patients with the addition of the PET information. The 39 patients without distant metastasis proceeded to three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy planning. Inadequate coverage of the GTV{sub PET/CT} and PTV{sub PET/CT} by the PTV{sub CT} occurred in 7 (18%) and 20 (51%) patients, respectively. This resulted in <95% of the GTV{sub PET/CT} and PTV{sub PET/CT} receiving {>=}95% of the prescribed dose in 4 (10%) and 13 (33%) patients, respectively. Conclusions: The addition of FDG-PET information might influence CT-based radiotherapy planning for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma by altering the definition of the target volume, with the potential to avoid a geographic miss of true disease.
- OSTI ID:
- 21039657
- Journal Information:
- International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Journal Name: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 69; ISSN IOBPD3; ISSN 0360-3016
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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