Improving the normal tissue sparing using scripting in endometrial cancer radiation therapy planning

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study is to improve the protection of the OARs, decrease the total planning time and maintain sufficient target doses by using scripting endometrial cancer EBRT planning. Materials and Methods: Computed tomography data of 14 endometrial cancer patients were included in this study. Manual and automatic planning with scripting were performed for each CT. Scripts were created in the RayStationTM (RaySearch Laboratories AB, Stockholm, Sweden) planning system using Python code. In scripting, seven additional contours were automatically created to reduce the OAR doses. The scripted and manual plans were compared with each other in terms of planning time, DVH parameters, and total monitor unit (MU) value.Results: While the mean total planning time for manual planning was 368±8 sec, it was 55±2 sec for the automatic planning with scripting (p<0.001). The mean doses of OARs decreased with automatic planning(p<0.001). In addition, the maximum doses (D2% and D1%) for bilateral femoral heads and the rectum were significantly reduced. It was observed that the total MU value increased from 1,146±126 (manual planning) to 1,369±95 (scripted planning).Conclusions: Scripted planning has significant time and dosimetric advantages over manual planning for endometrial cancer EBRT planning.