A genetic algorithm approach to full beam configuration inverse planning in coplanar radiotherapy

A unified evolutionary approach to coplanar radiotherapy inverse planning is proposed. It consists of a genetic algorithm-based framework that solves with little modification treatment planning for three different kinds of radiation therapy: conformal, so-called aperture-based and intensity modulated. Thanks to evolutionary optimisation techniques we have been able to search for full beam configurations, that is, beam intensity, beam shape and especially beam orientation. Unlike some previous works found in literature, our proposed solution automatically determines exact beam angles not relaying solely on a geometrical basis but involving beam intensity profiles, thus considering the effective delivered dose. Our dose distribution model has been validated through comparison with commercial system: fixed the same beam configuration, both calculated beam shapes and the DVH have been compared. Then we have tested the optimisation algorithm with real clinical cases: these involved both simple (convex target, far OARs) and complex (concave target, close OARs) ones. As stated by physician and by simulation with the same commercial system, our tools found good solutions in both cases using corresponding correct therapy.