Research

Stereotactic body radiotherapy for stage I lung cancer and small lung metastasis: evaluation of an immobilization system for suppression of respiratory tumor movement and preliminary results

Fumiya Baba¹ , Yuta Shibamoto¹ , Natsuo Tomita² , Chisa Ikeya-Hashizume³ , Kyota Oda⁴ , Shiho Ayakawa¹ , Hiroyuki Ogino¹ and Chikao Sugie¹

¹  Department of Radiology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan

²  Department of Radiation Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Nagoya, Japan

³  Nagoya Radiosurgery Center, Nagoya Kyoritsu Hospital, Nagoya, Japan

⁴  Department of Radiation Therapy, Aizawa Hospital, Matsumoto, Japan

author email corresponding author email

Radiation Oncology 2009, 4:15doi:10.1186/1748-717X-4-15

Published:	28 May 2009

Abstract

Background

In stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for lung tumors, reducing tumor movement is necessary. In this study, we evaluated changes in tumor movement and percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO₂) levels, and preliminary clinical results of SBRT using the BodyFIX immobilization system.

Methods

Between 2004 and 2006, 53 consecutive patients were treated for 55 lesions; 42 were stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 10 were metastatic lung cancers, and 3 were local recurrences of NSCLC. Tumor movement was measured with fluoroscopy under breath holding, free breathing on a couch, and free breathing in the BodyFIX system. SpO₂ levels were measured with a finger pulseoximeter under each condition. The delivered dose was 44, 48 or 52 Gy, depending on tumor diameter, in 4 fractions over 10 or 11 days.

Results

By using the BodyFIX system, respiratory tumor movements were significantly reduced compared with the free-breathing condition in both craniocaudal and lateral directions, although the amplitude of reduction in the craniocaudal direction was 3 mm or more in only 27% of the patients. The average SpO₂ did not decrease by using the system. At 3 years, the local control rate was 80% for all lesions. Overall survival was 76%, cause-specific survival was 92%, and local progression-free survival was 76% at 3 years in primary NSCLC patients. Grade 2 radiation pneumonitis developed in 7 patients.

Conclusion

Respiratory tumor movement was modestly suppressed by the BodyFIX system, while the SpO₂ level did not decrease. It was considered a simple and effective method for SBRT of lung tumors. Preliminary results were encouraging.