TY  - JOUR
AU  - Magalhaes Martins, Paulo Jorge
AU  - Freitas, Hugo
AU  - Tessonnier, Thomas
AU  - Ackermann, Benjamin
AU  - Brons, Stephan
AU  - Seco, Joao
TI  - Towards real-time PGS range monitoring in proton therapy of prostate cancer.
JO  - Scientific reports
VL  - 11
IS  - 1
SN  - 2045-2322
CY  - [London]
PB  - Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature
M1  - DKFZ-2021-01728
SP  - 15331
PY  - 2021
N1  - #EA:E041#LA:E041#
AB  - Proton therapy of prostate cancer (PCPT) was linked with increased levels of gastrointestinal toxicity in its early use compared to intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The higher radiation dose to the rectum by proton beams is mainly due to anatomical variations. Here, we demonstrate an approach to monitor rectal radiation exposure in PCPT based on prompt gamma spectroscopy (PGS). Endorectal balloons (ERBs) are used to stabilize prostate movement during radiotherapy. These ERBs are usually filled with water. However, other water solutions containing elements with higher atomic numbers, such as silicon, may enable the use of PGS to monitor the radiation exposure of the rectum. Protons hitting silicon atoms emit prompt gamma rays with a specific energy of 1.78 MeV, which can be used to monitor whether the ERB is being hit. In a binary approach, we search the silicon energy peaks for every irradiated prostate region. We demonstrate this technique for both single-spot irradiation and real treatment plans. Real-time feedback based on the ERB being hit column-wise is feasible and would allow clinicians to decide whether to adapt or continue treatment. This technique may be extended to other cancer types and organs at risk, such as the oesophagus.
LB  - PUB:(DE-HGF)16
C6  - pmid:34321492
C2  - pmc:PMC8319377
DO  - DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-93612-y
UR  - https://inrepo02.dkfz.de/record/170059
ER  -