Introduction

Postoperative active raster-scanning intensity modulated proton beam therapy (IMPT) for gynecological cancers requires precise target coverage, yet interfractional motion of the vaginal cuff and adjacent pelvic organs may compromise dosimetric robustness. This study retrospectively assessed interfractional organ movement and evaluated the clinical need for rectal balloon (RB) use to ensure adequate target coverage.

Methods

23 patients, 17/6 with/without RB, received postoperative IMPT between 2017 and 2020 at Heidelberg Ion-beam Therapy Center (HIT). Positioning verification computed tomography (pv-CT) and treatment planning CT (tp-CT) images were retrieved and rectum, bladder and the vaginal cuff (VC) were contoured. The clinical target volume (CTV) and planning target volume (PTV) were mapped from tp-CT to the pv-CT images and forward dose calculation was performed. To assess the volume of the VC not covered by the CTV or PTV, the region of interest (ROI), VC outside of CTV (VC-CTV) and outside of PTV (VC-PTV) were created. Volume differences (Δ) to the tp-CT images and dose parameters for each ROI were evaluated.

Results

139 pv-CTs were analysed. The use of RB significantly reduced VC displacements, resulting in fewer pv-CTs with the VC located outside the CTV (40% vs. 91%, p = 0.0252) and PTV (28% vs. 68%, p = 0.0362). CTV/PTV coverage and ROI doses remained stable across all fractions and there was no significant difference between groups. The applied PTV margins ensured robust dose coverage despite interfractional anatomical variations.

Conclusion

RB application effectively reduced interfractional VC motion and there was no significant Δ in target coverage or ROI doses. Using tp-CT images with full and empty bladder for definition of the CTV and standardized PTV margins contributed to stable dosimetry outcomes, confirming the robustness of the used IMPT treatment protocol. However, the use of RB may be beneficial, especially in patients with known gastrointestinal comorbidities or trapped air in the rectum.

Search results

Influence of Interfractional Variations of Bladder and Rectal Filling on Vaginal Cuff Movement and the Role of Rectal Balloons in Gynecological Pelvic Proton Beam Therapy