Purpose. To evaluate the effect of positioning errors from setup and from prostate motion during escalated dose conformal prostate irradiation for localised prostate cancer. Methods. Thirteen patients with localised prostate cancer had lateral portal films taken three times weekly during escalated dose conformal prostate radiotherapy. Field placement errors were measured by matching corresponding bony landmarks to the simulator film. Prostate motion at the base, mid-gland and apex was measured by imaging the displacement of 3 gold fiducial markers implanted into the prostate before therapy. From these measurements a planning target volume (PTV) was derived that allowed for both the prostate motion and field placement errors.

Results. The random isocentre positioning error was 2.2 mm (range 0.2–7.3 mm), and the mean systematic isocentre positioning error was 1.4 mm (range 0.2–3.3 mm).

Mean prostatic motion at the base was anterior 1.5 mm (SD 2.9 mm, range posterior 11.8 mm to anterior 16.8 mm), and superior 0.2 mm (SD 2.1 mm, range inferior 6.8 mm to superior 10.8 mm). At mid-gland it was anterior 0.6 mm (SD 2.4 mm, range posterior 7.2 mm to anterior 9.2 mm). At the apex it was posterior 0.3 mm (SD 2.1 mm, range posterior 7.9 mm to anterior 9.4 mm), and superior 0.5 mm (SD 2.1 mm, range inferior 6.7 mm to superior 10.2 mm).

The margin of PTV about the prostate needed to give a 99% probability of the GTV remaining within the 95% isodose line during the course of therapy for these patients is superior 5.8 mm, and inferior 5.6 mm. In the anterior and posterior direction, this margin is 7.2 mm at the base, 6.5 mm at the mid-gland and 6.0 mm at the apex.

Conclusions. Systematic setup errors were minimised by patient immobilisation and real-time corrections of setup errors. Prostate motion contributes the largest source of error, and this motion is greatest at the base of the gland compared to the apex. A non-uniform planning margin will improve target coverage while limiting normal tissue exposure. Fiducial markers implanted in the prostate improved quality assurance for radiation delivery by allowing confirmation of organ position within the treatment field over the course of therapy.