Visualization of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans

A method for planning external beam radiation therapy by a radiation therapy system, the method comprising:

• receiving a proposed optimized radiation treatment plan for use in external beam radiation therapy;
• and
• visualizing the optimized radiation treatment plan by visually displaying on a display monitor a two-dimensional plot with three-dimensions of data based at least in part on control parameters of a collimator of the radiation therapy system from the optimized radiation treatment plan,
• wherein first and second dimensions are plotted along first and second axes of the plot and a third dimension is indicated by intensity of gray scale or color scale of the plot on the display monitor to provide a comprehensive visual summary of delivery characteristics of the optimized radiation treatment plan to a user for identifying a desirable radiation treatment plan.

A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer executable instructions, for planning external beam radiation therapy by a radiation therapy system, which when executed by a processor cause the processor to:

• receive a proposed optimized radiation treatment plan for use in external beam radiation therapy;
• and
• visually summarize the optimized radiation treatment plan on a display monitor by displaying a two-dimensional plot with three-dimensions of data based at least in part on control parameters of a collimator of the radiation therapy system from the optimized radiation treatment plan,
• wherein first and second dimensions are plotted along first and second axes of the plot and a third dimension is indicated by intensity of gray scale or color scale of the plot on the display monitor to provide a comprehensive visual summary of delivery characteristics of the optimized radiation treatment plan to a user for identifying a desirable radiation treatment plan.