The Comparison of Two Treatment Planning Systems (Core PLAN and TiGRT) Using the Figure of Merit Equivalent Uniform Dose(fEUD) for Optimization of Radiotherapy Treatment

Abstract

Background & aim: Choosing the right treatment design system plays a significant role in effective treatment. The limitation of dose distribution to the target organs is one of the main goals of radiation therapy. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine and compare two treatment planning systems, TiGRT and CorePLAN, in 3D adaptive radiotherapy using the fEUD competency index to optimize the treatment. Methods: The present retrospective study was conducted in 2023. In order to compare the merit of treatment in two treatment design systems, Core PLAN and TiGRT, 20 treatment plans were designed for the treatment of head and neck and prostate tumors. The values ​​of OAR and EUD of the studied target organs were calculated and compared. Dose-volume histogram and the results of each treatment plan were compared and analyzed using the fEUD index, the collected data were analyzed using Student's t-tests Results: The production plans of head and neck and prostate tumors had similar and comparable performance for the two treatment design systems (p=0.46), but in the Core PLAN system, due to the higher fEUD index compared to TiGRT, healthy tissues were less at risk of radiation. Using the fEUD index as well as biologically based models and parameters while using treatment design systems highlights treatment optimization in radiation therapy. Conclusion: fEUD index could be used to compare the results of two treatment design systems. Based on this index, the CorePLAN treatment system is suitable for complex or challenging treatments, where optimization and quality of the treatment plan are very important, but TiGRT is suitable for routine treatments where efficiency and ease of use are important.

Keywords

• feud index
• treatment planning system
• radiotherapy