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Program Information

Clinical Implementation of Pencil Beam Scanning (PBS) Proton Therapy


L Dong

X Zhu

M Pankuch

L Dong




L Dong1*, X Zhu2*, M Pankuch3*, (1) University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, (2) UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, (3) Northwestern Medicine Chicago Proton Center, Warrenville, IL

Presentations

7:30 AM : Preparing for PBS Commissioning and QA - L Dong, Presenting Author
8:00 AM : Commissioning Dose Calculation Algorithms for PBS - X Zhu, Presenting Author
8:30 AM : Transitioning to PBS Proton Therapy from IMRT or Passive Scatter-based Proton Therapy - M Pankuch, Presenting Author
9:00 AM : Panel Discussion: Challenges and Experience of PBS-specific implementations - L Dong, Presenting Author

MO-AB-FS1-0 (Monday, July 31, 2017) 7:30 AM - 9:30 AM Room: Four Seasons 1


Pencil beam scanning (PBS) technology has the ability to adjust both beam intensity and energy throughout each treatment field. Combining with state-of-art optimization techniques, intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) plans can be created with superior dose conformality than those created by double-scatter or uniform scanning technologies that were more commonly used in the earlier generation proton therapy facilities. This is one of the main reasons that PBS is becoming the latest trend in modern proton therapy. PBS also creates unique challenges compared to previous generation of technology. Technical challenges exist for dose measurements, commissioning of dose calculation algorithms, quality assurance, deployment of the technology for safe clinical applications.

In this educational symposium, we will target three main areas of concerns for implementing PBS in the clinic: (1) preparing PBS commissioning: equipment needs and team-based task management will be discussed. Strategies for designing quality assurance program will be also discussed; (2) understanding and commissioning of PBS dose calculation algorithms. Limitations and pitfalls of dose calculation algorithms will be discussed; and (3) transition issues from photon therapy (IMRT) or aperture/compensator based proton therapy to PBS based IMPT. The main differences between these treatment methods will be discussed to prepare the audience to take full advantage of the newer technology. Additional training needs will be also discussed. Finally, a panel discussion session will be created to allow interactions with audience so that additional issues can be discussed.

Learning Objectives:
1. Learn about essential steps for preparing and commissioning a pencil beam scanning system
2. Understand dose calculation algorithms and their limitations
3. Suggest training needs and preparation needed to transit to PBS based proton therapy


Handouts


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