Impact of dose heterogeneity in target on TCP and NTCP for various radiobiological models in liver SBRT: different isodose prescription strategy

Introduction: The impact of dose heterogeneity within the tumor on TCP and NTCP was studied using various radiobiological models. The effect of the degree of heterogeneity index (HI) on TCP was also analyzed. Materials and Methods: Thirty-seven pre-treated liver SBRT cases were included in this study. Two different kinds of treatment techniques were employed. In both arms, the prescribed dose was received by 95% of the PTV. Initially, the inhomogeneous treatment plans (IHTP) were made in which the spatial change of dose within the PTV was high and the maximum dose within the PTV can go up to 160%. Subsequently, in another arm, homogeneous treatment plans (HTP) were generated in which PTV was covered with the same prescription isodose and the maximum dose can go up to 120%. As per RTOG 1112, all organs at risk (OAR’s) were considered while optimization of the treatment plans. TCP was calculated using the Niemierko and Poisson model. NTCP was calculated using the Niemierko and LKB fractionated model. Results: For the IHTP, TCP was decreasing as ‘a’ value decreased in the Niemierko model whereas, for HTP, TCP was found to be the same. NTCP of the normal liver was less in IHTP as compared to HTP, and the Niemierko model overestimates the NTCP as compared to LKB fractionated model. NTCP for all other OAR’s was Conclusion: IHTP is found to be clinically better than HTP because NTCP of the normal liver was significantly less and TCP was more for certain ‘a’ values of the Niemierko model and the Poisson model. There is not any effect of HI on TCP was observed. Advances in knowledge: IHTP could be used clinically because of the dose-escalation and subsequently, leads to an increase in the TCP.