Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy Improves Dosimetry and Reduces Treatment Time Compared to Conventional Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy for Locoregional Radiotherapy of Left-Sided Breast Cancer and Internal Mammary Nodes
- Radiation Therapy Program, British Columbia Cancer Agency-Vancouver Island Centre, Victoria, British Columbia (Canada)
- Physics and Astronomy Department, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia (Canada)
- Radiation Therapy Program, British Columbia Cancer Agency-Vancouver Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)
- Division of Radiation Oncology and Developmental Radiotherapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)
Purpose: Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is a novel extension of conventional intensity-modulated radiotherapy (cIMRT), in which an optimized three-dimensional dose distribution may be delivered in a single gantry rotation. VMAT is the predecessor to RapidArc (Varian Medical System). This study compared VMAT with cIMRT and with conventional modified wide-tangent (MWT) techniques for locoregional radiotherapy for left-sided breast cancer, including internal mammary nodes. Methods and Materials: Therapy for 5 patients previously treated with 50 Gy/25 fractions using nine-field cIMRT was replanned with VMAT and MWT. Comparative endpoints were planning target volume (PTV) dose homogeneity, doses to surrounding structures, number of monitor units, and treatment delivery time. Results: For VMAT, two 190 deg. arcs with 2-cm overlapping jaws were required to optimize over the large treatment volumes. Treatment plans generated using VMAT optimization resulted in PTV homogeneity similar to that of cIMRT and MWT. The average heart volumes receiving >30 Gy for VMAT, cIMRT, and MWT were 2.6% +- 0.7%, 3.5% +- 0.8%, and 16.4% +- 4.3%, respectively, and the average ipsilateral lung volumes receiving >20 Gy were 16.9% +- 1.1%, 17.3% +- 0.9%, and 37.3% +- 7.2%, respectively. The average mean dose to the contralateral medial breast was 3.2 +- 0.6 Gy for VMAT, 4.3 +- 0.4 Gy for cIMRT, and 4.4 +- 4.7 Gy for MWT. The healthy tissue volume percentages receiving 5 Gy were significantly larger with VMAT (33.1% +- 2.1%) and IMRT (45.3% +- 3.1%) than with MWT (19.4% +- 3.7%). VMAT reduced the number of monitor units by 30% and the treatment time by 55% compared with cIMRT. Conclusions: VMAT achieved similar PTV coverage and sparing of organs at risk, with fewer monitor units and shorter delivery time than cIMRT.
- OSTI ID:
- 21367616
- Journal Information:
- International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Vol. 76, Issue 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2009.05.038; PII: S0360-3016(09)00815-3; Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; ISSN 0360-3016
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Treatment of left sided breast cancer for a patient with funnel chest: Volumetric-modulated arc therapy vs. 3D-CRT and intensity-modulated radiotherapy
A Comparison of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy and Conventional Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy for Frontal and Temporal High-Grade Gliomas