Radiation Therapy Plan Quality Improvement Using Ideal Theoretical Isodose Distribution

Purpose

The researchers hope that based on the study findings future patients may benefit from a more precise radiation treatment plan that can be developed more quickly and thus decrease the time from Computerized Tomography Simulation to start of treatment.

Condition

  • Head and Neck Neoplasms

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 18 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • Age ≥ 18 years. - Ability to provide informed written consent in either English or Spanish. - Patient planned to undergo radiation therapy for Head and Neck Cancer.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Current pregnancy, as this is a contraindication to receiving radiation therapy. - History of prior radiotherapy to the head and neck. - Any condition or history as evidenced by patient record and/or self-report that, in the opinion of the investigator, would interfere with adherence to daily radiation therapy.

Study Design

Phase
N/A
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Parallel Assignment
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Placebo Comparator
Control Arm 		After consent and study enrollment the subject will be scheduled for CT simulation for radiation treatment planning. At the time of CT simulation, they will be immobilized by means of a thermoplastic mask. For patients in the control arm, the radiation treatment planning will proceed as normal. Treatment planning is performed on Pinnacle. The patient will return for validation of the radiation plan. Validation involves collecting on-table X-rays or cone beam CTs when the patient is in position for treatment, which is the standard of care. Most often, the date of validation will happen within 5 business days of the CT simulation.
  • Other: Radiation therapy
    Standard of Care planning for Radiation therapy is used to treat the subjects for head and neck cancer
    Other names:
    • Radiation treatment
Experimental
Research Arm 		After consent and study enrollment the subject will be scheduled for CT simulation for radiation treatment planning. At the time of CT simulation, they will be immobilized by means of a thermoplastic mask. For patients in the research arm, a theoretical plan will be created after physician's segmentation and will be used as a guide for the final plan. The patient will return for validation of the radiation plan. Validation involves collecting on-table X-rays or cone beam CTs when the patient is in position for treatment, which is the standard of care. Most often, the date of validation will happen within 5 business days of the CT simulation.
  • Other: Software Solution for Radiation Therapy Treatment
    Software has been developed for individualized pre optimization evaluation of the patient anatomy and prescribed dose of radiation therapy.
    Other names:
    • Treatment planning
  • Other: Radiation therapy
    Standard of Care planning for Radiation therapy is used to treat the subjects for head and neck cancer
    Other names:
    • Radiation treatment

More Details

Status
Completed
Sponsor
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Study Contact

Detailed Description

As part of this study participants will receive the standard of care treatment for all head and neck cancer patients. The researchers plan to use a software program to see if it will assist in developing the best radiation treatment plan possible. The researchers will also measure the quality of each treatment plan so areas of improvement can be identified.