Dosimetric predictors of esophageal toxicity after stereotactic body radiotherapy for central lung tumors

This novel analysis provides guidelines to predict acute esophageal toxicity in lung SBRT. Dose to the hottest 5cc and Dmax of the esophagus were the best predictors of toxicity. Converting the BED10 limits to physical doses, D5cc to the esophagus should be kept less than 16.8, 18.1 and 19.0 Gy for 3, 4, and 5 fractions, respectively, to keep the acute toxicity rate <20%.