Published in:
01-05-2013 | Brief Research Article
Cone-beam computed tomography dose monitoring during intensity-modulated radiotherapy in head and neck cancer: parotid glands
Authors:
A. Fiorentino, M. Cozzolino, R. Caivano, P. Pedicini, C. Chiumento, C. Oliviero, S. Clemente, V. Fusco
Published in:
Clinical and Translational Oncology
|
Issue 5/2013
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Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the dosimetric changes of parotid glands (PG) during a course of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in head and neck (H&N) cancer patients.
Methods
Ten patients with H&N cancer treated by IMRT were analyzed. The original treatment plan (CTplan) was transferred to cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) acquired at the 15th and 20th treatment day (CBCTplan I and II, respectively). The PG mean dose (D
mean), the dose to 50 % of the volume, and the percent of volume receiving 30 and 50 Gy were measured by the dose volume histogram.
Results
30 IMRT plans were evaluated (3 plans/patient). All dosimetric end points increased significantly for both PG only when CTplan was compared to CBCTplan I. The D
mean increased significantly only for ipsilateral PG (p = 0.02) at week 3.
Conclusion
During a course of IMRT, CBCT is a feasible method to check the PG dosimetric variations. Perhaps, the 3rd week of radiotherapy could be considered as the time-check-point.