More effective and complex techniques
The Netherlands Kanker Insituut (NKI), in Amsterdam, felt the time was right for a new treatment partner. One that could help them support a new generation of potentially more effective and more complex radiation treatment techniques.
“When our original radiation-treatment planning system was acquired in 1989, it was the most advanced in the world. But new developments have overtaken it, which meant that we needed to move with the times and return ourselves to state-of-the-art,” explains Dr. Eugène Damen, Clinical Physicist at (NKI)’s, Department of Radiation Oncology. After a comprehensive review, NKI chose Philips and its Pinnacle³ treatment planning system.
Pinnacle³ was seen as an ideal match for NKI’s drive to automate many of the planning steps and calculations associated with these newer treatment techniques.
Automation a key factor
In addition to being very user friendly and accurate, a key factor in the decision was the Pinnacle³ software’s scripting function. According to Dr. Damen, “Using scripts or macros we can, to a large degree, automate the procedure to greatly improve planning efficiency and hence workflow.” He adds, “This is unique to Pinnacle³ and, more than anything else, clinched the deal for Philips.”
NKI treats 3500-4000 difficult and complex cancer cases each year. For them, Pinnacle³'s flexibility and scripting function are particularly important.
Complex geometry of tumor (purple) and surrounding organs at risk in Pinnacle³ of patient with an oropharynx tumor.
For example, radiation oncologists rely on Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) to accommodate irregularities in tumor shape.
1.With IMRT, the radiation treatment is delivered through multiple individual beams that intersect the tumor from many directions and angles.
2.The intensity of each radiation beam is modulated and the Linear Accelerator’s (LINAC) computer controlled multi-leaf collimator conforms the beam to the tumor profile – and limits irradiation to surrounding tissue.
3.The combination of several intensity-modulated beams coming from different directions, helps physicians tailor the radiation dose to that patient’s specific tumor. All this while minimizing dose to the healthy surrounding tissue.
Developing a treatment plan for such a procedure is complex and time consuming. It demands highly advanced software. Dr. Damen points to Pinnacle³ as offering the right tools. “Pinnacle³ ’s scripting function in particular has proven invaluable by allowing us to set up template scripts defining a whole series of IMRT plans and then to adapt them to the needs of individual patients.”
Reducing treatment planning time
Up to now, NKI has clinically implemented IMRT treatment planning for prostate tumors on Pinnacle³. Over the course of their first 100 patients, NKI reduced the treatment planning time from two days (with the old system) to less than a day. Dr. Damen emphasizes, “We’re still getting used to Pinnacle³ so we expect this time to drop even further.”
Pinnacle³ IMRT Plan for prostate tumor.
Advantages beyond Pinnacle³
NKI views Philips as an active research partner. Dr. Damen expects the collaboration to have an important impact on the work the institute is currently doing on emerging techniques, such as Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) and Adaptive Radiation Therapy (ART).
While new radiation treatment techniques are constantly evolving, now NKI has a planning system that can help them move with the times.
[Published: 2007-01-05]