Comprehensive Intra-Institution stepping validation of knowledge-based models for automatic plan optimization

Purpose To develop and apply a stepping approach for the validation of Knowledge-based (KB) models for planning optimization: the method was applied to the case of concomitant irradiation of pelvic nodes and prostate + seminal−vesicles bed irradiation in post-prostatectomy patients. Methods The clinical VMAT plans of 52 patients optimized by two reference planners were selected to generate a KB-model (RapidPlan, v.13.5 Varian). A...