Dosimetric Evaluation of Oesophagus in Hypofractionated Supraclavicular Nodal Irradiation in Breast Cancer - A Retrospective Observational Study in a Tertiary Care Cancer Centre in Alappuzha, Kerala

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (32) ◽  
pp. 2974-2979
Author(s):  
Sajeev George Pulickal ◽  
Reshma Bhaskaran ◽  
Aparna Perumangat ◽  
Harikrishnan Reghu ◽  
Girish Babu Moolath
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cricoid Cartilage ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Conventional Fractionation ◽  
Straight Position ◽  
Dose Volume ◽  
Treatment Plans ◽  
Inferior Border ◽  
Plan Modification

BACKGROUND Acute esophagitis (AE) is a common toxicity seen in patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT) for breast cancer, which can affect their quality of life. Thus, majority of our patients receiving hypo fractionated dose of 40 Gy in 15 fractions were having AE. We conducted this study to evaluate the dosimetric parameters of oesophagus and correlate with published literature. METHODS Treatment plans of 80 post mastectomy patients who underwent radiotherapy for carcinoma of breast (Ca breast) with a dose of 40 Gy in 15 fractions to the chest wall along with supra clavicular fossa (SCF) were selected. Out of these, 44 patients (22 each in right and left side) were simulated in neck straight position and 36 in neck tilted position (18 each in right and left side). The oesophageal volume was contoured in already executed plans from the inferior border of cricoid cartilage to the inferior border of the SCF planning target volume (PTV). No plan modification was done after contouring the oesophagus. Dosimetric parameters like the maximum dose (Dmax) and mean dose (Dmean) to oesophagus, volume of oesophagus receiving ≥ 5 Gy (V5), ≥ 10 Gy (V10), ≥ 15 Gy (V15), ≥ 20 Gy (V20), ≥ 25 Gy (V25), ≥ 30 Gy (V30) were derived from dose volume histogram (DVH) data and analysed. RESULTS Dmean in straight neck group irrespective of side was 18.57 (± 7.30) Gy and in tilted neck 22.94 (± 9.53,) Gy, P = 0.023. Subgroup analysis shows Dmean was significantly high in patients with left sided disease than those with right sided disease (24.10 vs. 13.03, P = 0.00) in the straight neck cases. In the neck tilted group there was a nonsignificant increase in Dmean in left sided cases (25.36 vs. 20.53, P = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS Evaluation of oesophageal dosimetric parameters in hypofractionated dose showed that DmeanEQD2 was within the values of published studies in conventional fractionation. KEYWORDS Oesophageal Dosimetric Parameters, Breast Cancer

scholarly journals Dosimetric evaluation of the heart and left anterior descending artery dose in radiotherapy for Japanese patients with breast cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 134-139
Author(s):  
Osamu Tanaka ◽  
Kousei Ono ◽  
Takuya Taniguchi ◽  
Chiyoko Makita ◽  
Masayuki Matsuo
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy ◽  
Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy ◽  
Japanese Patients ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
The Other ◽  
High Coverage ◽  
Left Anterior Descending Artery ◽  
Treatment Plans ◽  
Field Static

Abstract Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has been used for breast cancer as well as in field-in-field techniques. Few dosimetric comparison studies have been conducted using IMRT and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for Japanese patients. We aimed to study such patients. Thirty-two patients with left-sided breast cancer were enrolled. We conducted the following five treatment plans: two field-static IMRT (2F-S-IMRT), four field-static IMRT (4F-S-IMRT), 40° dual partial arc VMAT (40d-VMAT), 80° dual partial arc VMAT (80d-VMAT) and 210° partial VMAT (210p-VMAT). We evaluated the following: level of coverage of planning target volume (PTV) of 95% for irradiation at a dose of 50 Gy (D95) and the percentage of the heart and left anterior descending artery (LAD) volume that received 10 Gy or more (V10). As a result, the coverage of 40d-VMAT for the prescribed PTV dose of D95 was significantly lower than that of the other treatment plans (P < 0.05). Regarding heart V10 and LAD V10, 2F-S-IMRT, 40d-VMAT and 80d-VMAT showed significantly lower dose than the other treatment plans (P < 0.05). In conclusion, among the five plans, 2F-S-IMRT is recommended for Japanese patients because of high coverage of D95 of PTV, low V10 of the heart and LAD and the monitor unit value was the lowest.

Challenges and Differences in External Radiation Therapy for Retinoblastoma: From Standard Techniques to New Developments

2015 ◽  
Vol 103 (5) ◽  
pp. 438-442
Author(s):  
Ayşe Hiçsönmez ◽  
Yıldız Güney ◽  
Ayşen Dizman ◽  
Bahar Dirican ◽  
Yakup Arslan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bone Growth ◽  
External Beam Radiotherapy ◽  
Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Dose Volume Histograms ◽  
Normal Tissues ◽  
Dose Volume ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Treatment Plans ◽  
External Radiation Therapy

Aims The purpose of this study is to calculate the treatment plans and to compare the dose distributions and dose-volume histograms (DVH) for 6 external radiotherapy techniques for the treatment of retinoblastoma as well as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (Cyberknife). Methods Treatment plans were developed using 6 techniques, including an en face electron technique (ET), an anterior and lateral wedge photon technique (LFT), a 3D conformal (6 fields) technique (CRT), an inverse plan IMRT, tomotherapy, and conventional focal stereotactic external beam radiotherapy with Cyberknife (SBRT). Dose volume analyses were carried out for each technique. Results All techniques except electron provided similar target coverage. When comparing conformal plan with IMRT and SBRT, there was no significant difference in planning target volume dose distribution. The mean volume of ipsilateral bony orbit received more than 20 Gy, a suggested threshold for bone growth inhibition. The V20 Gy was 73% for the ET, 57% for the LFT, 87% for the CRT, 65% for the IMRT, 66% for the tomotherapy, and 2.7% for the SBRT. Conclusions This work supports the potential use of IMRT and SBRT to spare normal tissues in these patients.

scholarly journals Impact of Peer Review in the Radiation Treatment Planning Process: Experience of a Tertiary Care University Hospital in Pakistan

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Bilal Mazhar Qureshi ◽  
Muhammad Atif Mansha ◽  
Muneeb Uddin Karim ◽  
Asim Hafiz ◽  
Nasir Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Peer Review ◽  
Clinical Target Volume ◽  
Planning Process ◽  
Radiation Treatment ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Major Change ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Treatment Plans

PURPOSE To evaluate and report the frequency of changes in radiation therapy treatment plans after peer review in a simulation review meeting once a week. MATERIALS AND METHODS Between July 1 and August 31, 2016, the radiation plans of 116 patients were discussed in departmental simulation review meetings. All plans were finalized by the primary radiation oncologist before presenting them in the meeting. A team of radiation oncologists reviewed each plan, and their suggestions were documented as no change, major change, minor change, or missing contour. Changes were further classified as changes in clinical target volume, treatment field, or dose. All recommendations were stratified on the basis of treatment intent, site, and technique. Data were analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences and are presented descriptively. RESULTS Out of 116 plans, 26 (22.4%) were recommended for changes. Minor changes were suggested in 15 treatment plans (12.9%) and a major change in 10 (8.6%), and only one plan was suggested for missing contour. The frequency of change recommendations was greater in radical radiation plans than in palliative plans (92.3% v 7.7%). The head and neck was the most common treatment site recommended for any changes (42.3%). Most of the changes were recommended in the technique planned with three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (50%). Clinical target volume (73.1%) was identified as the most frequent parameter suggested for any change, followed by treatment field (19.2%) and dose (0.08%). CONCLUSION Peer review is an important tool that can be used to overcome deficiencies in radiation treatment plans, with a goal of improved and individualized patient care. Our study reports changes in up to a quarter of radiotherapy plans.

scholarly journals The Treatment Planining of Rectum Tumors and The Use of The Wedge Filter for Ensuring The Correct Isodoses

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Idajet Selmani ◽  
Partizan Malkaj
Keyword(s):  
Planning Target Volume ◽  
Treatment Plan ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
The Body ◽  
Planning System ◽  
Treatment Planning System ◽  
Volume Of Interest ◽  
Dose Volume ◽  
Treatment Plans ◽  
Wedge Filter

One of the most important issues in the field of radiotherapy is the correct distribution of the dose around the volume of interest or planning target volume (PTV). For making this possible the exact isodose in a treatment plan has to cover the PTV, so it is used the wedge which is a part of the linear accelerator head. Wedge plays the role of a filter and usually it is called wedge filter. The wedge filter is in use almost in all treatment plans, for all the parts of the body. In this paper it is consider the use of the wedge filter for treatment of rectum tumors. The process starts with the scanning of the patient and the deliantion of the interest’s volums in the Monaco system. In the following the imagins have been sent in the treatment planning system for making the nesessary plans for treatment of the rectum. Two plans were done, one with the use of the wedge and the other without using it. The dose volume histogram helps for compering the results of the plans. The best conformity of the isodoses it was for the plan with the use of wedge through volume of interest, which is planning target volume (PTV).

A comparison of proton and photon radiotherapy in reducing cardiac exposure for patients receiving radiation therapy for distal and esophagogastric junction cancer.

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 167-167
Author(s):  
Ted Chen-Tai Ling ◽  
Jerry Monroe Slater ◽  
Rachel Mifflin ◽  
Prashanth Nookala ◽  
Roger Grove ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Esophagogastric Junction ◽  
Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Dose Distributions ◽  
Dose Volume Histograms ◽  
Dose Volume ◽  
Partial Volumes ◽  
Treatment Plans ◽  
Adequate Coverage

167 Background: Recent studies indicate that radiation exposure to heart may have a greater impact on perioperative cardiac morbidities than do other clinical factors. The purpose of this study is to investigate dose distributions of proton and photon treatment plans in patients (pts) with distal and esophagogastric junction (GEJ) carcinoma, focusing specifically on dose reduction to cardiac structures. Methods: Ten pts between 2010 and 2013 were included in this study. Three separate plans were generated for each patient: 3D proton plan, 3D photon plan, and Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) photon plan. The clinical target volume (CTV) consisted of the pre-operative extent of tumor plus a 10mm manual expansion in all directions. The planning target volume (PTV) was generated by a further expansion on the CTV ranging from 10-15mm. A dose of 50.4Gy given in 28 fractions was delivered to the PTV. All plans were optimized to allow 90% isodose coverage of at least 95% of the PTV. Dose-volume histograms were calculated and analyzed in order to compare plans between the three modalities. ANOVA and two-tailed paired t-tests were performed for all data parameters. Results: The 3D proton plans showed decreased dose to partial volumes of the entire heart, arteries, valves, atria, and ventricles in comparison to both the IMRT and 3D photon plans (see Table). The IMRT plans showed decreased dose delivered to the LAD artery, pericardium, and atria in comparison to the 3D photon plans (see Table). Conclusions: For pts receiving radiation therapy for distal esophageal and GEJ cancer, proton plans are technically feasible with adequate coverage while resulting in lower dose to cardiac structures. This may result in decreased cardiac toxicity and less complications in a multimodality setting. [Table: see text]

scholarly journals Conventional radiotherapy of localized right side breast cancer after radical mastectomy: development of innovative “field in field” technique

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 130-133
Author(s):  
Goran Marošević ◽  
Dženita Ljuca ◽  
Semir Fazlić ◽  
Anela Ramić ◽  
Hidajet Rahimić
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Postoperative Radiotherapy ◽  
Radical Mastectomy ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Thoracic Wall ◽  
Field Technique ◽  
Dose Volume ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Student’S T ◽  
The Right

Introduction: The aim of this paper is to study the distribution of the therapy dosage applied by a modified conventional “field in field” technique and compare it to the distribution of the dosage applied by the standard conventional technique.Methods: The study included ten patients with right side breast cancer, after they were exposed to radical mastectomy and chemotherapy. Radiotherapy dosage of TD 50 Gy in 25 fractions was applied to the anterolateral side of the right thoracic wall, with two opposite conventional tangential fields by the linear accelerator Elekta Synergy and the energy of 6 megavolts (MV). A delineation of the target volume (CTV – Clinical Target Volume) was done within conventional fields. At the XiO system for planning we included additional fields within the existing conventional fields, which was the so called “field in field” technique. On the basis of CTV the Dose Volume  Histogram (DVH) was calculated for conventional and “field in field” plans. VD90%, VD95%, VD107%, VD115%, CI and HI were calculated for both techniques. Means were pared with the paired Student's t-test. The results were considered significantly different if p<0.05.Results: VD90% and VD 95% were significantly higher for the “field in field” technique. Therefore, CI also favored the “field in field” technique (p=0.02). There was no difference in VD107% and VD115% between the compared groups. Consequently, there was no statistically significant difference in HI (1.13±0.03 vs.1.13±0.03, p=0.06).Conclusion: Conventional postoperative radiotherapy of localized right side breast cancer by “field in field” technique provides excellent coverage of the target volume by radiotherapy isodose.

scholarly journals Decreasing the Dose to the Rectal Wall by Using a Rectal Retractor during Radiotherapy of Prostate Cancer: A Comparative Treatment Planning Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Nilsson ◽  
Andreas K. Johansson ◽  
Anders Montelius ◽  
Ingela Turesson ◽  
Risto O. Heikkinen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Treatment Planning ◽  
Rectal Wall ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Planning Study ◽  
Volumetric Arc Therapy ◽  
Dose Volume ◽  
Arc Therapy ◽  
Treatment Plans ◽  
Comparative Treatment

Aim. The aim of the study was to examine the dosimetric effect of rectal retraction, using a rectal retractor, by performing a comparative treatment planning study. Material and Methods. Treatment plans using volumetric arc therapy (VMAT) were produced for ten patients both with and without rectal retraction. A hypofractionation scheme of 42.7 Gy in seven fractions was used. The dose to the rectal wall was evaluated for both methods (with and without retraction) using four dose-volume criteria: V40.1 Gy, V38.3 Gy, V36.5 Gy, and V32.6 Gy. Results. The retraction of the rectal wall increased the distance between the rectal wall and the prostate. The rectal wall volume was reduced to zero for all dose-volume values except for V32.6 Gy, which was 0.2 cm3 in average when the rectal retractor was used. Conclusion. There was a significant decrease of V40.1 Gy, V38.3 Gy, V36.5 Gy, and V32.6 Gy when the rectal retractor was used without compromising the dose coverage of planning target volume (PTV).

Comparison between different boost dose delivery techniques to the tumor bed of right sided breast cancer patients.

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 4605-4617
Author(s):  
Aly Mahmoud El-Hdidy
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Target Location ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Photon Beams ◽  
Lung Dose ◽  
Dose Volume Histograms ◽  
Tumor Bed ◽  
Boost Dose ◽  
Treatment Plans

Comparisons between three different techniques by which the boost dose was delivered to the tumor bed were carried out , aiming to present the best technique of treatment for right breast cancer patients.In this study, ten right sided breast cancer computed tomography (CT) scans were selected for ten early right breast cancer patients. We made three different treatment plans for each patient CT using three different irradiation techniques to deliver a prescribed boost dose of 10 Gy in 5 fractions to the boost PTV. In the first technique, two tangential photon beams were used, in the second technique we, two oblique photon beams were used and in the third technique, a single electron beam was used. The comparative analyses between the three techniques were performed by comparing the boost PTV- dose volume histograms (DVHs), the ipsilateral breast (right breast) DVHs, the ipsilateral lung (right lung) DVHs and the heart DVHs of the three techniques for each patient. Furthermore the dose that covering 100% , 95% of the volume (D100% , D95%) and the volume covered by 95% of the dose (V95%)of  the boost PTV of all techniques, were calculated for each patient to investigate the dose coverage of the target.Results showed that there were variations of the dose received by tumor bed, right breast and OARs depending on the technique used and the target location and size. A decrease of D100% than 90% of the prescribed dose was observed with the 3rd technique for patients 8, 9 and 10, and was observed with the 2nd technique for patient 5. A reduction of right breast dose was observed when the 3rd technique was use in comparison with the 1st and the 2nd techniques for patients 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8.  Also reduction of right breast was observed when the 2nd technique used in comparison with 1st technique. An increase of lung dose was observed with the 3rd technique for patients 1, 2, 5 and 6, also was observed with 2nd technique in patient 3, 5 and 7. A decrease of lung dose was observed with the 1st technique for patients 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9An individualized treatment, several plans using different irradiation techniques should be developed for each patient individually to reach the best boost PTV dose coverage with minimal OARs’ dose. 

The role of the clinical pharmacist in guiding adjuvant hormonal therapy in patients with breast cancer

2021 ◽  
pp. 107815522110293
Author(s):  
Amanda V Pirolli ◽  
Tatiana Brusamarello ◽  
Stella S Everton ◽  
Vânia M S Andrzejevski
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Hormone Therapy ◽  
Hormonal Therapy ◽  
Clinical Pharmacist ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Adjuvant Hormonal Therapy ◽  
Breast Cancers

Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer among women, affecting about 2.1 million worldwide and is responsible for the highest number of cancer-related deaths among women. Approximately 80% of breast cancers express on the surface of hormone receptor cells, such as progesterone and estrogen. In these cases, Adjuvant Hormonal Therapy (AHT) is indicated for a period of five to ten years and consists of taking a daily oral pill. The two most used drugs in AHT are tamoxifen and Aromatase Inhibitors. One of the issues most faced by individuals who are subjected to long periods of treatment is the lack of medication adherence and, consequently, therapeutic inefficiency. It is believed that the monitoring by the pharmacist can contribute to the reduction of errors inherent to the medication, making the treatment more effective and improving the patient's quality of life. The present study aimed to know the perception of patients who live with breast cancer and who do AHT in relation to the educational performance of the clinical pharmacist. This is a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory study, carried out from March to October 2020, with 15 women undergoing treatment at the oncology unit of a tertiary-care hospital in south of Brazil. The data were obtained through a semi-structured interview using an instrument composed of two parts, one referring to the characterization of the participants and the other with the guiding question of the research: "How do you perceive the role of the pharmacist in relation to the guidelines for the use of adjuvant hormonal therapy?". The method of theoretical saturation was used to perform the sample closure and the thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The participants were between 32 and 74 years old, seven were on tamoxifen therapy and eight on anastrozole, ten were on the first year of treatment, two on the second and three on the third year. The themes that emerged were: pharmacist-patient interaction as a safety factor in hormone therapy; role of the pharmacist in the development of strategies for self-management of the patients during hormone therapy; and, challenges for the pharmacist in relation to hormone therapy through continued guidance. It was evident that the pharmacist's educational action encouraged the participants to carry out the treatment in a more confident and assertive manner according to their particularities and beliefs.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document