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Yuichiro Narita

Publications and source records attributed to Yuichiro Narita.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Development of a four-dimensional image-guided radiotherapy system with a gimbaled X-ray head.

PURPOSE: To develop and evaluate a new four-dimensional image-guided radiotherapy system, which enables precise setup, real-time tumor tracking, and pursuit irradiation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The system has an innovative gimbaled X-ray head that enables small-angle (+/-2.4 degrees ) rotations (pan and tilt) along the two orthogonal gimbals. This design provides for both accurate beam positioning at the isocenter by actively compensating for mechanical distortion and quick pursuit of the target. The X-ray head is composed of an ultralight C-band linear accelerator and a multileaf collimator. The gimbaled X-ray head is mounted on a rigid O-ring structure with an on-board imaging subsystem composed of two sets of kilovoltage X-ray tubes and flat panel detectors, which provides a pair of radiographs, cone beam computed tomography images useful for image guided setup, and real-time fluoroscopic monitoring for pursuit irradiation. RESULTS: The root mean square accuracy of the static beam positioning was 0.1 mm for 360 degrees of O-ring rotation. The dynamic beam response and positioning accuracy was +/-0.6 mm for a 0.75 Hz, 40-mm stroke and +/-0.4 mm for a 2.0 Hz, 8-mm stroke. The quality of the images was encouraging for using the tomography-based setup. Fluoroscopic images were sufficient for monitoring and tracking lung tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Key functions and capabilities of our new system are very promising for precise image-guided setup and for tracking and pursuit irradiation of a moving target.

Equipment Design↗
PubMed2006

Hypofractionated high-dose irradiation for the treatment of malignant astrocytomas using simultaneous integrated boost technique by IMRT.

PURPOSE: We evaluated the clinical significance of hypofractionated high-dose irradiation using simultaneous integrated boost technique with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for the treatment of malignant astrocytomas (MAs). METHODS AND MATERIALS: Twenty-five patients with MAs were treated by IMRT. Three layered planning target volumes (PTVs) were contoured. PTV-1 was the area of enhanced lesion with 5-mm margin; PTV-2 was the area with 15-mm margin surrounding the PTV-1; PTV-3 was the area of perifocal edema. Irradiation was performed in 8 fractions, and only the dose for PTV-1 was escalated from 48 Gy to 68 Gy while maintaining the dose for PTV-2 (40 Gy) and PTV-3 (32 Gy). The clinical outcome of IMRT was compared with 60 MA patients treated by conventional external beam irradiation (EBI). RESULTS: The progression-free survival of patients in the IMRT group was significantly longer than that in the EBI group (p < 0.0001). No distant failure was observed in both groups. In the IMRT group, dissemination was the most frequent cause of death (70%). The overall survival of patients in the IMRT group was better than that in the EBI group (p = 0.043). CONCLUSIONS: Our regimen of IMRT contributed to the control of both the regional and infiltrating tumors, resulting in better survival of patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT)].

The techniques of three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3 D-CRT) and patient immobilization have recently been developed, enabling us to focus high doses on the target with relatively less irradiation of normal tissues. In radiotherapy for solitary lung tumors, the local control may be safely improved by delivering a higher dose at only the target volume using these techniques. Recently, several clinical studies on stereotactic body radiotherapy (SRT) using the 3 D-CRT technique for solitary lung tumors have been reported. The single dose used is 10-15 Gy, and the total sessions are three to five. The local control rate is more than 90% and complication rates are very low. Therefore, this treatment is a promising new non-invasive treatment for early stage lung cancer. A multi-institutional clinical study, JCOG 0403, in now underway.

Early Diagnosis↗
PubMed2003

[3D-CRT and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT)].

Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) conforms a high dose region closer to the target volume than does 2D radiation therapy. IMRT is the advanced form of 3D-CRT. With IMRT technique, using multiple intensity modulated beams, one can deliver a high dose of radiation to the target and a low dose to the surrounding normal structures. IMRT planning provides improved tumor target coverage when compared to 3D-CRT treatment planning. There is significant sparing of critical structures and other normal tissues. IMRT also produces dose distributions capable of delivering different dose prescriptions to multiple targets, providing a new opportunity for differential dose painting to increase the dose selectively to specific image-defined regions. Preliminary findings indicate that IMRT is a new clinically feasible tool in radiation oncology. The initial results of clinical studies demonstrate reduced xerostomia in head and neck cancer and also effectively reduced acute and late occurring toxicities, improving the QOL of patients treated for prostate cancer. According to these studies, IMRT will allow dose escalation, leading to better tumor control without normal tissue damage. On the other hand, there are some problems for IMRT in Japan: There are few medical physicists, which results in radiation technologists playing most clinical technological roles, including some dosimetrical and physical activities. Social recognition and economical and legal support for medical physicists should be established in providing better patient care services.

Humans↗
PubMed2002

[Dosimetric verification in intensity modulated radiation therapy].

As part of dosimetric verification for IMRT intensity modulated radiation therapy, we examined the selection of a dosimeter in accordance with the purpose of physical measurement and the process of data analysis. Because of the high dose conformation in the target volume and minimum dose in the organs at risk (OAR) in IMRT, dosimetric verification is essential. Because the performance of dosimetric verification in a patient is not allowed, a physical phantom and dosimeter must be used. Dose verification using a physical phantom, from which the beam data optimized for a patient slated for IMRT are transferred, may cause latent error as a result of change in the depth of each beam toward an isocenter. This effect may change the dose distribution and prescription dose. The basic methods of dosimetric verification with physical measurement are point dosimetry, when the reference dose is given at a point by planning software, and volumetric dosimetry, when planning software gives the dose as a volumetric configuration. While the most accurate dosimetry is done using a calibrated ionization chamber, IMRT requires volumetric dosimetry using some kind of portal film or a polymer gel dosimeter, because of the need for dosimetric verification for an irregular dose distribution in IMRT. The importance of indirect dosimetry using these methods is to provide calibration as a dosimeter, absolute dose, and preservation of calibration. In our study, the verification of dose distribution for IMRT using portal film and a RANDO phantom could be performed with an error of less than 2% in all cases. The measurement error for the central dose using a JARP-type ionization chamber and MixDP was less than 3% in all cases except for the case with the maximum error. At the moment, IMRT requires a great deal of effort in the processes of planning, dosimetric verification, and isocenter checking in every fraction to maintain high accuracy. Although the need for a large amount of effort in the service of maintaining accuracy may be reasonable, it could be enough to inhibit the spread of IMRT. It is hoped that an easy method of dosimetric verification that still maintains a high level of accuracy will develop as a result of this great effort.

Phantoms, Imaging↗
PubMed2001

[Intensity modulated radiation therapy]

A preliminary goal of radiation therapy is to deliver radiation doses that conform to targets, while minimizing dose to surrounding normal tissue. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) delivered with a multileaf collimator (MLC) is a promising resource to achieve conformal therapy. A medical linear accelerator (linac) equipped with an IMRT system can increase dose to the target and decrease dose to normal tissue. These capabilities may be significantly enhanced with dose optimization techniques. IMRT integrates rapidly evolving imaging, computer, optimization, and treatment delivery technologies. Resulting systems fundamentally distinguish themselves from prior technology. Thus, new quality assurance (QA) procedures are needed.

Journal Article↗