Author(s)

Christian Fiandra¹, Alessandro Alparone², Elena Gallio³, Claudio Vecchi², Gabriella Balestra⁴, Sara Bartoncini⁵, Samanta Rosati⁴, Riccardo Ragona¹, Umberto Ricardi¹

¹Department of Oncology, Radiation Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
²Tecnologie Avanzate T.A. Srl, Turin, Italy.
³Medical Physics Unit, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy.
⁴Department of Electronics and Telecommunication, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy.
⁵Radiation Oncology Unit, A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy.

Purpose: To investigate a genetic algorithm approach to automatic treatment planning. Methods: A Python script based on genetic algorithm (GA) was implemented for VMAT treatment planning of prostate tumor. The script was implemented in RayStation treatment planning system using Python code. Two different clinical prescriptions were considered: 78 Gy prescribed to planning target volume in 39 fractions (GROUP 1) and simultaneous integrated boost (70.2 Gy to prostate bed and 61.1 Gy to seminal vesicles) in 26 fractions (GROUP 2). The script automatically optimizes doses to PTV and OARs according to GA. A comparison with corresponding plans created with Monaco TPS (M) and Auto-Planning module of Pinnacle³ (AP) was carried out. The plans were evaluated with a total score (TS) of PlanIQ software in terms of target coverage and sparing of OARs as well as clinical score (CS) performed by a Radiation Oncologist. Results: In GROUP 1, mean value of TS were 150.6 ± 30.7, 146.3 ± 36.1 and 137.4 ± 35.7 for AP, GA and M respectively. For GROUP 2, mean value for TS were 163.5 ± 16.8, 163.4 ± 24.7 and 162.9 ± 16.6 for AP, GA and M respectively with no significance differences. In terms of CS, the highest value has been attributed to GA in four patients out of five for both GROUP 1 and 2. Conclusions: Genetic approach is practicable for prostate VMAT plan generation and studies are underway in other anatomical sites such as Head and Neck and Rectum.

Genetic Algorithm Optimization, Planning Automation, VMAT, Prostate

Fiandra, C. , Alparone, A. , Gallio, E. , Vecchi, C. , Balestra, G. , Bartoncini, S. , Rosati, S. , Ragona, R. and Ricardi, U. (2018) Automated Heuristic Optimization of Prostate VMAT Treatment Planning. International Journal of Medical Physics, Clinical Engineering and Radiation Oncology, 7, 414-425. doi: 10.4236/ijmpcero.2018.73034.