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Dosimetric Comparison of Irregular Surface Compensator and Field-in-Field for Whole Breast Radiotherapy
Nao Kuwahata1, Hideki Fujita1, Hideaki Yamanishi1
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Osaka Saiseikai Nakatsu Hospital, Osaka, Japan.
Journal of Medical Physics
|July 3, 2018
Summary
The irregular surface compensator (ISC) technique offers dosimetric advantages over the field-in-field (FIF) technique for whole breast radiotherapy, improving dose homogeneity and target coverage. This makes ISC a preferred method for breast cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Radiation Oncology
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Whole breast radiotherapy (WBRT) is a standard treatment for breast cancer.
- Optimizing dose distribution in WBRT is crucial for treatment efficacy and reducing side effects.
- Conventional techniques like field-in-field (FIF) aim to improve dose homogeneity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the dosimetric benefits of the irregular surface compensator (ISC) technique versus the field-in-field (FIF) technique for WBRT.
- To evaluate differences in target dose coverage, homogeneity, and organ-at-risk doses between ISC and FIF.
Main Methods:
- Fifty breast cancer patients (25 left-sided, 25 right-sided) underwent radiotherapy planning with both ISC and FIF techniques.
- Dose calculations were performed using the Eclipse treatment planning system.
- Key dosimetric parameters including dose homogeneity index (DHI), target volume doses, and doses to the ipsilateral lung and heart were analyzed.
Main Results:
- The ISC technique significantly reduced DHI and the volume of tissue receiving >105% of the prescribed dose compared to FIF.
- ISC also increased the volume of tissue receiving >95% of the prescribed dose and required more monitor units (MU).
- While FIF showed a significant reduction in volumes receiving >5 Gy to the heart and lung, mean doses and higher dose volumes (>10, 20, 30 Gy) did not differ significantly.
Conclusions:
- The irregular surface compensator (ISC) technique demonstrates superior dosimetric properties for whole breast radiotherapy compared to the field-in-field (FIF) technique.
- ISC provides improved dose homogeneity and target coverage, making it a preferred method for breast cancer treatment planning.
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