• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.167-171
• /
• 2007

In the case of radiotherapy following breast conservation therapy for breast cancer patients, the characteristic of skin dose was investigated in the treatment of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for breast cancer patients by comparing and analysing entrance skin dose irradiated during radiotherapy using tangential technique radiotherpy, and IMRT. The calculation dose irradiated to breast skin was compared with TLD measurement dose in treatment planning by performing the two methods of radiotherapy using tangential technique, and IMRT in treatment planning equipment. The skin absorbed dose was measured to pass a nipple by spacing of 1 cm distance from center to edge of body. In the radiotherapy of tangential technique, for the irradiation of 180 cGy to PTV, the calculation dose was ranged from 103.5 cGy to 155.2 cGy, measurement dose was ranged from 107.5 cGy to 156.2 cGy, and skin dose in the center was maximum 1.45 times more irradiated than that in the edge. In the IMRT, for the irradiation of 180 cGy to PTV, the calculation dose was ranged 9.8 cGy at 80.2 cGy, measurement dose was ranged 8.9 cGy at 77.2 cGy, and skin dose in the center was maximum 0.23 times less irradiated than that in the edge. IMRT was more effective for skin radiation risks because radiation dose irradiated to skin in IMRT was much less than that in radiotherapy of tangential field technique.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.219-228
• /
• 2012

The tangential breast intensity modulated radiotherapy (T-B IMRT) technique, which uses the same tangential fields as conventional 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) plans with physical wedges, was analyzed in terms of the calculated dose distribution feature and dosimetric accuracy of beam delivery during treatment. T-B IMRT plans were prepared for 15 patients with breast cancer who were already treated with conventional 3D-CRT. The homogeneity of the dose distribution to the target volume was improved, and the dose delivered to the normal tissues and critical organs was reduced compared with that in 3D-CRT plans. Quality assurance (QA) plans with the appropriate phantoms were used to analyze the dosimetric accuracy of T-B IMRT. An ionization chamber placed at the hole of an acrylic cylindrical phantom was used for the point dose measurement, and the mean error from the calculated dose was $0.7{\pm}1.4%$. The accuracy of the dose distribution was verified with a 2D diode detector array, and the mean pass rate calculated from the gamma evaluation was $97.3{\pm}2.9%$. We confirmed the advantages of a T-B IMRT in the dose distribution and verified the dosimetric accuracy from the QA performance which should still be regarded as an important process even in the simple technique as T-B IMRT in order to maintain a good quality.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.11
• /
• pp.4727-4732
• /
• 2014

Background: Breast cancers are becoming more frequently diagnosed at early stages with improved long term outcomes. Late normal tissue complications induced by radiotherapy must be avoided with new breast radiotherapy techniques being developed. The aim of the study was to compare dosimetric parameters of planning target volume (PTV) and organs at risk between conformal (CRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) after breast-conserving surgery. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 patients with early stage left breast cancer received adjuvant radiotherapy after conservative surgery, 10 by 3D-CRT and 10 by IMRT, with a dose of 50 Gy in 25 sessions. Plans were compared according to dose-volume histogram analyses in terms of PTV homogeneity and conformity indices as well as organs at risk dose and volume parameters. Results: The HI and CI of PTV showed no difference between 3D-CRT and IMRT, V95 gave 9.8% coverage for 3D-CRT versus 99% for IMRT, V107 volumes were recorded 11% and 1.3%, respectively. Tangential beam IMRT increased volume of ipsilateral lung V5 average of 90%, ipsilateral V20 lung volume was 13%, 19% with IMRT and 3D-CRT respectively. Patients treated with IMRT, heart volume encompassed by 60% isodose (30 Gy) reduced by average 42% (4% versus 7% with 3D-CRT), mean heart dose by average 35% (495cGy versus 1400 cGy with 3D-CRT). In IMRT minimal heart dose average is 356 cGy versus 90cGy in 3D-CRT. Conclusions: IMRT reduces irradiated volumes of heart and ipsilateral lung in high-dose areas but increases irradiated volumes in low-dose areas in breast cancer patients treated on the left side.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.41-46
• /
• 2010

Purpose: To analyze differences in the dose uniformity for the computed breast radiation therapy planning with tangential beam between conventional RT using wedge filter and FiF-IMRT using multileaf collimator based onsizes and volumes of breasts. Materials and Methods: Thirty breast cancer patients were classified according to the sizes and volumes of the breasts using Eclipse treatment planning system ($Varian^{TM}$, USA, V8.0). Conformity Index and Homogeneity Index were computed along with Dose Volume Histogram. Results: No differencein CI (${\pm}1.2%$) was observed. However, lower mean HI (1.67%) in FiF-IMRT was observed compared to that of the conventional RT. Statically significant (P<0.01) correlation was identified between the values of ${\Delta}HI$ (%) and physical parameters such as breast volumes and separations. Conclusion: Increase in breast volume and separation improves the dose uniformities in computed radiation therapy planning for FiF-IMRT. Physical dimension of the breast should be considered to optimize the compured radiation therapy planning.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.175-181
• /
• 2015

Purpose : To evaluate Contralateral Breast Doses with Supine and Prone Positions for tangential Irradiation techniques for left-sided breast Cancer Materials and Methods : We performed measurements for contralateral doses using Human Phantom at each other three plans (conventional technique, Field-in-Field, IMRT, with prescription of 50 Gy/25fx). For the measurement of contralateral doses we used Glass dosimeters on the 4 points of Human Phantom surface (0 mm, 10 mm, 30 mm, 50 mm). For the position check at every measurements, we had taken portal images using EPID and denoted the incident points on the human phantom for checking the constancy of incident points. Results : The contralateral doses in supine position showed a little higher doses than those in prone position. In the planning study, contralateral doses in the prone position increased mean doses of 1.2% to 1.8% at each positions while those in the supine positions showed mean dose decreases of 0.8% to 0.9%. The measurements using glass dosimeters resulted in dose increases (mean: 2.7%, maximum: 4% of the prescribed dose) in the prone position. In addition, the delivery techniques of Field-in-field and IMRT showed mean doses of 3% higher than conventional technique. Conclusion : We evaluated contralateral breast doses depending on different positions of supine and prone for tangential irradiations. For the phantom simulation of set-up variation effects on contralateral dose evaluation, although we used humanoid phantom for planning and measurements comparisons, it would be more or less worse set-up constancy in a real patient. Therefore, more careful selection of determination of patient set-up for the breast tangential irradiation, especially in the left-sided breast, should be considered for unwanted dose increases to left lung and heart. In conclusion, intensive patient monitoring and improved patient set-up verification efforts should be necessary for the application of prone position for tangential irradiation of left-sided breast cancer.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.59-66
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Investigation of the clinical use of tangential fields technique using TOMO direct in comparison to conventional LINAC based radiation therapy after breast partial mastectomy. Materials and Methods: Treatment plans were created for 3 left-sided breast cancer patients who had radiation therapy after breast partial mastectomy by using wedged tangential fields technique, field in field technique (FIF), TOMO Direct, TOMO Direct intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) under the normalized prescription condition ($D_{90%}$: 50.4 Gy/28 fx within CTV). Dose volume histogram (DVH) and isodose curve were used to evaluate the dose to the clinical target volume (CTV), organ at risk (OAR). We compared and analyzed dosimetric parameters of CTV and OAR. Dosimetric parameters of CTV are $D_{99}$, $D_{95}$, Dose homogeneity index (DHI: $D_{10}/D_{90}$) and $V_{105}$, $V_{110}$. And dosimetric parameters of OAR are $V_{10}$, $V_{20}$, $V_{30}$, $V_{40}$ of the heart and $V_{10}$, $V_{20}$, $V_{30}$ of left lung. Results: Dosimetric results of CTV, the average value of $D_{99}$, $D_{95}$ were $47.7{\pm}1.1Gy$, $49.4{\pm}0.1Gy$ from wedged tangential fields technique (W) and FIF (F) were $47.1{\pm}0.6Gy$, $49.2{\pm}0.4Gy$. And it was $49.2{\pm}0.4$ vs. $48.6{\pm}0.8Gy$, $49.9{\pm}0.4$ vs. $49.5{\pm}0.3Gy$ Gy for the TOMO Direct (D) and TOMO Direct IMRT (I). The average value of dose homogeneity index was W: $1.1{\pm}0.02$, F: $1.07{\pm}0.02$, D: $1.03{\pm}0.001$, I: $1.05{\pm}0.02$. When we compared the average value of $V_{105}$, $V_{110}$ using each technique, it was the highest as $34.6{\pm}9.3%$, $7.5{\pm}7.9%$ for wedged tangential fields technique and the value dropped for FIF as $16.5{\pm}14.8%$, $2.1{\pm}3.5%$, TOMO direct IMRT as $7.5{\pm}8.3%$, $0.1{\pm}0.1%$ and the TOMO direct showed the lowest values for both as 0%. Dosimetric results of OAR was no significant difference among each technique. Conclusion: TOMO direct provides improved target dose homogeneity over wedged tangential field technique. It is no increase the amount of normal tissue volumes receiving low doses, as oppose to IMRT or Helical TOMO IMRT. Also, it simply performs treatment plan procedure than FIF. TOMO Direct is a clinical useful technique for breast cancer patients after partial mastectomy.

• Journal of Magnetics
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.133-140
• /
• 2016

In this study the contralateral breast skin dose was decreased. It was to apply the results to the clinical study after analysis of different radiation dose amounts to contralateral breast with nonmagnetic bolus and without nonmagnetic bolus. A Rando phantom was computed tomography (CT) simulated, five treatment plans were generated: open tangents, open field in field, wedge 15, wedge 30, and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plan with 50.4 Gy to cover sufficient breast tissue. Contralateral breast skin dose was measured at 8 points using a glass dosimeter. The average contralateral breast dose using nonmagnetic bolus showed better excellence in decreasing the absorbed dose in the order of $168{\pm}11.1$ cGy, $131{\pm}10.2$ cGy (29%), $112{\pm}9.7$ cGy (49%), and $102{\pm}9.5$ cGy (64%) than changing the treatment plan. This study focused on decreasing the effect of scattered dose by use of a nonmagnetic bolus on the contralateral breast during radiotherapy in breast cancer patients and an intriguingly significant decrease was observed parallel to the opposed beam.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.7
• /
• pp.2889-2894
• /
• 2015

Background: To investigate the impact of the breast size, shape, maximum heart depth (MDH), and chest wall hypotenuse (the distance connecting middle point of the sternum and the length of lung draw on the selected transverse CT slice) on the volumetric dose to heart with whole breast irradiation (WBI) of left-sided breast cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Fifty-three patients with left-sided breast cancer undergoing adjuvant intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were enrolled in the study. The primary breast size and shape, MHD and DCWH (chest wall hypotenuse) were contoured on radiotherapy (RT) planning CT slices. The dose data of hearts were obtained from the dose-volume histograms (DVHs). Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Student's t-test and linear regression analysis. Results: Breast size was independent of heart dose, whereas breast shape, MHD and DCWH were correlated with heart dose. The shapes of breasts were divided into four types, as the flap type, hemisphere type, cone type and pendulous type with heart mean dose being $491.8{\pm}234.6cGy$, $752.7{\pm}219.0cGy$, $620.2{\pm}275.7cGy$, and $666.1{\pm}238.0cGy$, respectively. The flap type of breasts shows a strong statistically reduction in heart dose, compared to others (p=0.008 for V30 of heart). DCWH and MHD were found to be the most important parameters correlating with heart dose in WBI. Conclusions: More attention should be paid to the heart dose of non-flap type patients. The MHD was found to be the most important parameter to correlate with heart dose in tangential WBI, closely followed by the DCWH, which could help radiation oncologists and physicsts evaluate heart dose and design RT plan in advance.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.199-204
• /
• 2014

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the dosimetric outcome of the field-in-field (FIF) plans compared with tangential wedged beams (TWB) plans for whole breast irradiation of breast cancer patients. Twenty patients with right-sided breast cancer and 10 patients with left-sided breast cancer were retrospectively enrolled in this study. We generated a FIF plan and a TWB plan for each patient to compare dosimetric outcomes. The dose the homogeneity index (HI), the conformity index (CI) and the uniformity index (UI) were defined and used for comparison of the dosimetric outcome of the planning target volume (PTV). To compare the dosimetric outcome of the organs at risk, the mean dose ($D_{mean}$) and the percentage of volumes receiving more than 10, 20 and 30 Gy of the ipsilateral lung and heart were used. The FIF plans had significantly lower HI (p=0.002), higher UI (p=0.000) and CI (p=0.000) than those of the TWB plans, which means that the FIF plans were better than the TWB plans in the dosimetric comparisons of the PTV. The $V10_{lung}$ ($17.1{\pm}7.1$ vs. $18.6{\pm}6.6%$, p=0.020) and $V30_{lung}$ ($10.3{\pm}5.1%$ vs. $10.7{\pm}5.2%$, p=0.000) were lower with the FIF plans compared with those of the TWB plans, with statistical significance. For the left-sided breast cancer patients, $D_{mean}$ of the heart ($2.6{\pm}1.3$ vs. $3.2{\pm}1.4$ Gy, p=0.000), $V20_{heart}$ ($3.4{\pm}2.6$ vs. $3.6{\pm}2.8%$, p=0.005) and $V30_{heart}$ ($2.6{\pm}2.3%$ vs. $2.9{\pm}2.4%$, p=0.004) were significantly lower for the FIF plans in comparison with those of the TWB plans. The FIF plans increased the dose homogeneity, conformity and uniformity of the target volume for the whole-breast irradiation compared with the TWB plans. Moreover, FIF plans reduced the doses to the ipsilateral lung and heart.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.277-282
• /
• 2010

The study is to verify non-uniform dose distribution in Field-In-Field (FIF) technique using two-dimensional ionization chamber (MatriXX, Wellhofer Dosimetrie, Germany) for breast tangential irradiation. The MatriXX and an inverse planning system (Eclipse, ver 6.5, Varian, Palo Alto, USA) were used. Hybrid plans were made from the original twenty patients plans. To verify the non-uniform dose distribution in FIF technique, each portal prescribed doses (90 cGy) was delivered to the MatriXX. The measured doses on the MatriXX were compared to the planned doses. The quantitative analyses were done with a commercial analyzing tool (OmniPro IMRT, ver. 1.4, Wellhofer Dosimetrie, Germany). The delivered doses at the normalization points were different to average 1.6% between the calculated and the measured. In analysis of line profiles, there were some differences of 1.3-5.5% (Avg: 2.4%), 0.9-3.9% (Avg: 2.5%) in longitudinal and transverse planes respectively. For the gamma index (criteria: 3 mm, 3%) analyses, there were shown that 90.23-99.69% (avg: 95.11%, std: 2.81) for acceptable range ($\gamma$-index $\geq$ 1) through the twenty patients cases. In conclusion, through our study, we have confirmed the availability of the FIF technique by comparing the calculated with the measured using MatriXX. In the future, various clinical applications of the FIF techniques would be good trials for better treatment results.