Optimizing laryngeal sparing with intensity modulated radiotherapy or volumetric modulated arc therapy for unilateral tonsil cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Minimizing radiation dose exposure to nearby organs is key to limiting clinical toxicities associated with radiotherapy. Several treatment modalities such as split- or whole-field intensity-modulated radiotherapy (SF-IMRT, WF-IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) are being used to treat tonsillar cancer patients with unilateral neck radiotherapy. Herein, we provide a modern dosimetric comparison of all three techniques.

Materials and methods

Forty patients with tonsillar cancer treated with definitive, ipsilateral neck SF-IMRT were evaluated. Each patient was re-planned with WF-IMRT and VMAT techniques, and doses to selected organs-at-risk (OARs) including the larynx, esophagus, and brainstem were compared.

Results

No significant dif

SUBMITTER: Moreno AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7807534 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature