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The acceptability of a multileaf collimator as a replacement for conventional blocks
E M Fernandez1, G S Shentall, W P Mayles
1Department of Physics, Royal Marsden N.H.S., Sutton, Surrey, UK.
Summary
Multileaf collimator (MLC) field shaping is suitable for over 94% of patients previously treated with conventional blocks. This advanced radiotherapy technique offers significant potential for improved treatment planning and delivery.
Area of Science:
- Radiation Oncology
- Medical Physics
Background:
- Conventional radiotherapy often utilizes custom-made blocks for beam shaping.
- Multileaf collimators (MLCs) offer an alternative, automated method for defining radiation fields.
- Assessing the applicability of MLCs to existing treatment protocols is crucial for technological integration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of using a Philips multileaf collimator (MLC) for patients treated with conventional blocks.
- To determine the percentage of patients for whom MLC field shaping would be appropriate.
- To assess the utility of the MLC's Regular Shape Library for clinical applications.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 218 patients treated with conventionally blocked fields.
- Evaluation of MLC field shaping applicability for each patient case.
- Assessment of predefined shapes within the Philips Regular Shape Library.
Main Results:
- MLC field shaping was deemed appropriate for over 94% of the analyzed patient cohort.
- The capability to treat large blocked fields with MLC was found to be particularly beneficial.
- An appropriate predefined shape from the Regular Shape Library was available in 52% of cases.
Conclusions:
- Multileaf collimator (MLC) technology is highly suitable for replacing conventional blocks in a large majority of radiotherapy cases.
- The MLC offers significant advantages in field shaping, especially for large fields.
- While the Regular Shape Library is useful, manual MLC configuration remains important for optimal treatment planning.