Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 16, 2026
Voluntary Breath-hold Technique for Reducing Heart Dose in Left Breast Radiotherapy
Published on: July 3, 2014
Technical solutions to reduce mediastinal irradiation in young patients undergoing treatment for lymphomas:
Michaela Benassi1, Luana Di Murro1, Barbara Tolu1
1Radiation Therapy Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiotherapy, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Abstract:
This study aims at optimizing treatment planning in young patients affected by lymphoma (Stage II to III) by using an inclined board (IB) that allows reducing doses to the organs at risk. We evaluated 19 young patients affected by stage I to III lymphomas, referred to our Department for consolidation radiotherapy (RT) treatment on the mediastinum. Patients underwent 2 planning computed tomography (CT) scans performed in different positions: flat standard position and inclined position. A direct comparison between the different treatment plans was carried out analyzing dosimetric parameters obtained from dose-volume histograms generated for each plan. Comparison was performed to evaluate the sparing obtained on breast and heart. Dosimetric evaluation was performed for the following organs at risk (OARs): mammary glands, lungs, and heart. A statistically significant advantage was reported for V5, V20, and V30 for the breast when using the inclined board. A similar result was obtained for V5 and V10 on the heart. No advantage was observed in lung doses. The use of a simple device, such as an inclined board, allows the optimization of treatment plan, especially in young female patients, by ensuring a significant reduction of the dose delivered to breast and heart.
