Evaluation of deep learning based dose prediction in head and neck cancer patients using two different types of input contours

Abstract Purpose This study evaluates deep learning (DL) based dose prediction methods in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients using two types of input contours. Materials and methods Seventy‐five HNC patients undergoing two‐step volumetric‐modulated arc therapy were included. Dose prediction was performed using the AIVOT prototype (AiRato.Inc, Sendai, Japan), a commercial software with an HD U‐net‐based dose distribution prediction system. Models were developed for the initial plan (46 Gy/23Fr) and boost plan (24 Gy/12Fr), trained with 65 cases and tested with 10 cases. The 8‐channel model used one target (PTV) and seven organs at risk (OARs), while the 10‐channel model added two dummy contours (PTV ring and spinal cord PRV). Predicted and deliverable doses, obtained through dose mimicking on another radiation treatment planning system, were evaluated using dose‐volume indices for PTV and OARs. Results For the initial plan, both models achieved approximately 2% prediction accuracy for the target dose and maintained accuracy within 3.2 Gy for OARs. The 10‐channel model outperformed the 8‐channel model for certain dose indices. For the boost plan, both models exhibited prediction accuracies of approximately 2% for the target dose and 1 Gy for OARs. The 10‐channel model showed significantly closer predictions to the ground truth for D50% and Dmean. Deliverable plans based on prediction doses showed little significant difference compared to the ground truth, especially for the boost plan. Conclusion DL‐based dose prediction using the AIVOT prototype software in HNC patients yielded promising results. While additional contours may enhance prediction accuracy, their impact on dose mimicking is relatively small.