Upright positioning enhances beam angle optimization and organ sparing in head and neck carbon-ion radiotherapy with fixed-beam systems.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for head and neck tumors is typically delivered in the supine posture using fixed beam lines, which limits beam angle selection. Combining upright posture with fixed beam lines offers expanded angular access and potential dosimetric advantages, yet optimal angle configurations remain unclear. This study identifies optimal beam angles in head and neck CIRT by comparing dosimetry and robustness of upright and supine plans for fixed-beam systems, thereby supporting beam angle optimization and clinical implementation of upright treatment in fixed-beam systems.

Methods

Twenty patients with head and neck cancer were retrospectively robustly optimized using four beam configurations: horizontal beams at 0° (S0) and with a 15° superior-obliqu

SUBMITTER: Huang S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12670848 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature