Accuracy and reproducibility of conformal radiotherapy using data from a randomised controlled trial of conformal radiotherapy in prostate cancer (MRC RT01, ISRCTN47772397).

AIMS

The MRC RT01 trial used conformal radiotherapy to the prostate, a method that reduces the volume of normal tissue treated by 40-50%. Because of the risk of geographical miss, the trial used portal imaging to examine whether treatment delivery was within the required accuracy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In total, 843 patients were randomly assigned to receive 64 Gy in 32 fractions over 6.5 weeks or 74 Gy in 37 fractions over 7.5 weeks. Field displacements and corrections were recorded for all imaged fractions. Displacement trends and their association with time, disease and treatment set-up characteristics were examined using univariate and multivariate analyses. A Radiographer Trial Implementation Group (RTIG) was set up to inform the quality assurance process and to promote the development of best practice.

RESULTS

Treatment isocentre positioning was within 5 mm in every direction on 6238 (83%) of the 7535 fractions imaged. In total, 532 (81%) of 695 included patients had at least one > or = 3 mm displacement and 415 (63%) had at least one > or = 5 mm displacement. Univariate, multivariate and stepwise models of > or =5 mm displacements showed an increased likelihood of displacement in weeks 1 and 2 with low melting point alloy (LMPA) blocks compared with multileaf collimators, film verification compared with electronic portal imaging (EPI) and increased number of fractions imaged. Except for LMPA, this was also seen for > or = 5 mm displacements in weeks 3-6.

CONCLUSIONS

Accurate conformal treatment was delivered. The use of EPI was associated with increased reported accuracy. The RTIG was a crucial part of the quality assurance process.