Promising results have also been achieved using SBRT techniques, including the linear accelerator (Linac) and CyberKnife (CK) in the treatment of prostate cancer. It has been reported that various studies describe the advantages of the above mentioned techniques for various sites including head and neck, esophageal, brain, cervical cancers, ovarian cancers, etc.
Aim: The aim of the study was to find the most balanced plan with an optimal combination of planning parameters in helical tomotherapy (HT) for bilateral breast irradiation by evaluating dosimetric indices and time factors. In particular, we investigated the best combination of field width (FW), pitch, and modulation factor (MF). Materials and Methods: A total of 90 plans (18 plans for each patient) was created in this study, with different combination of planning parameters (FW: 2.5 cm [F1] and 5 cm [F2]; pitch: 0.215 [P1], 0.287 [P2], and 0.43 [P3]; and MF: 2.0 [M1], 2.5 [M2], and 3.0 [M3]). Plans were analyzed using several dosimetric indices: homogeneity index, conformity index, dose near minimum D 98% , dose near maximum D 2% , and the coverage by D 95% of the target. Organ at risk (OAR) doses were evaluated by mean dose, V 5Gy and V 25Gy for the heart and mean dose V 5Gy and V 20Gy for both the lungs. Treatment time was also reported for all plans. Results: Reducing FW from 5 cm to 2.5 cm increased the treatment time by 40%–50% and improved homogeneity of the target. Tightening the pitch value from 0.43 to 0.215 improved target as well as OAR doses without increasing the treatment time. Increasing MF from 2 to 3 improved all the dosimetric indices and also increased treatment time. Conclusions: On the basis of our analysis, a plan with FW 5 cm, pitch 0.215, and MF 2.5 can be considered as an optimal combination of planning parameters for bilateral breast irradiation in HT technique.
BACKGROUND Establishing the usefulness of adaptive radiotherapy in our setting with limited data might help to ensure better conformity and reduce treatment related morbidity. Hence we conducted this study to elicit the benefit of adaptive radiotherapy with helical tomotherapy. METHODS This is a prospective study conducted among 25 head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy with helical tomotherapy. All patients underwent initial radiation therapy treatment planning simulation positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET CT/ CT scan) [CT-1], followed by repeat PET CT/ CT scan at 4th - 5th week of radiotherapy [CT-2]. Planning for full intended dose [66 Gy - 70 Gy] was done on both the scans, keeping the radiation therapy planning parameters same. Changes in the volume of the clinical target volumes (CTV), changes in the volume and dose to spinal cord, bilateral parotids, and mandible were compared. A p - value of < 0.05 was considered for statistical significance. RESULTS A significant reduction in the volumes of tumour - CTV-1 [CT-1 v/s CT-2: 166.82 cc v/s. 150.63 cc] and of lymph nodal region - CTV-2 [CT-1 v/s CT-2: 260.29 cc v/s 228.00 cc], contra lateral parotid gland [CT-1 v/s CT-2: 33.00 cc v/s 18.72 cc] were observed (P < 0.05). The mean doses received by contra lateral parotid gland [CT-1 v/s. CT-2: 23.14 Gy v/s 21.26 Gy] were significantly lesser in the CT2 scans (P < 0.05). The mean maximum doses were also significantly lesser to the mandible and spinal cord i.e., CT-1 v/s. CT-2: 68.528 Gy v/s 67.39 Gy and 39.45 Gy v/s. 37.33 Gy respectively (P < 0.05). A significant reduction in standardised uptake value (SUV), values of the primary tumour and involved lymph nodes was observed between CT-1 and CT-2. CONCLUSIONS During 4th to 5th week of radiation therapy, significant reductions in the CTVs and in dose to OARs were noted. Thus, we recommend at least one re-simulation scan and re-planning during radiation therapy, irrespective of the type of technique of radiation therapy. KEYWORDS Adaptive Radiation Therapy, IMRT, Tomotherapy
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