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01-11-2016 | Original Article

Radiosurgery with flattening-filter-free techniques in the treatment of brain metastases

Plan comparison and early clinical evaluation

Authors: J. Rieber, E. Tonndorf-Martini, O. Schramm, B. Rhein, S. Stefanowicz, J. Kappes, H. Hoffmann, K. Lindel, J. Debus, S. Rieken

Published in: Strahlentherapie und Onkologie | Issue 11/2016

Abstract

Background

Radiosurgical treatment of brain metastases is well established in daily clinical routine. Utilization of flattening-filter-free beams (FFF) may allow for more rapid delivery of treatment doses and improve clinical comfort. Hence, we compared plan quality and efficiency of radiosurgery in FFF mode to FF techniques.

Materials and methods

Between November 2014 and June 2015, 21 consecutive patients with 25 brain metastases were treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) in FFF mode. Brain metastases received dose-fractionation schedules of 1 × 20 Gy or 1 × 18 Gy, delivered to the conformally enclosing 80 % isodose. Three patients with critically localized or large (>3 cm) brain metastases were treated with 6 × 5 Gy. Plan quality and efficiency were evaluated by analyzing conformity, dose gradients, dose to healthy brain tissue, treatment delivery time, and number of monitor units. FFF plans were compared to those using the FF method, and early clinical outcome and toxicity were assessed.

Results

FFF mode resulted in significant reductions in beam-on time (p < 0.001) and mean brain dose (p = 0.001) relative to FF-mode comparison plans. Furthermore, significant improvements in dose gradients and sharper dose falloffs were found for SRS in FFF mode (−1.1 %, −29.6 %; p ≤ 0.003), but conformity was slightly superior in SRS in FF mode (−1.3 %; p = 0.001). With a median follow-up time of 5.1 months, 6‑month overall survival was 63.3 %. Local control was observed in 24 of 25 brain metastases (96 %).

Conclusion

SRS in FFF mode is time efficient and provides similar plan quality with the opportunity of slightly reduced dose exposure to healthy brain tissue when compared to SRS in FF mode. Clinical outcomes appear promising and show only modest treatment-related toxicity.

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Title: Radiosurgery with flattening-filter-free techniques in the treatment of brain metastases
Plan comparison and early clinical evaluation
Authors: J. Rieber
E. Tonndorf-Martini
O. Schramm
B. Rhein
S. Stefanowicz
J. Kappes
H. Hoffmann
K. Lindel
J. Debus
S. Rieken
Publication date: 01-11-2016
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Strahlentherapie und Onkologie / Issue 11/2016
Print ISSN: 0179-7158
Electronic ISSN: 1439-099X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00066-016-1012-x

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Radiosurgery with flattening-filter-free techniques in the treatment of brain metastases

Plan comparison and early clinical evaluation

Abstract

Background

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

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