TY - JOUR AU - Unkelbach, Jan AU - Bangert, Mark AU - De Amorim Bernstein, Karen AU - Andratschke, Nicolaus AU - Guckenberger, Matthias TI - Optimization of combined proton-photon treatments. JO - Radiotherapy and oncology VL - 128 IS - 1 SN - 0167-8140 CY - Amsterdam [u.a.] PB - Elsevier Science M1 - DKFZ-2018-01343 SP - 133 - 138 PY - 2018 AB - Proton treatment slots are a limited resource. Therefore, we consider combined proton-photon treatments in which most fractions are delivered with photons and only a few with protons. We demonstrate how both modalities can be combined to optimally capitalize on the proton's ability to reduce normal tissue dose.An optimal combined treatment must account for fractionation effects. We therefore perform simultaneous optimization of intensity-modulated proton (IMPT) and photon (IMRT) plans based on their cumulative biologically effective dose (BED). We demonstrate the method for a sacral chordoma patient, in whom the gross tumor volume (GTV) abuts bowel and rectum.In an optimal combination, proton and photon fractions deliver similar doses to bowel and rectum to protect these dose-limiting normal tissues through fractionation. However, proton fractions deliver, on average, higher doses to the GTV. Thereby, the photon dose bath is reduced. An optimized 30-fraction treatment with 10 IMPT fractions achieved more than 50 LB - PUB:(DE-HGF)16 C6 - pmid:29370987 DO - DOI:10.1016/j.radonc.2017.12.031 UR - https://inrepo02.dkfz.de/record/136905 ER -