Dosimetric Characteristics of Tomotherapy and Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer Publisher

Summary: Research shows tomotherapy improves head and neck cancer treatment with better targeting, fewer side effects. #CancerTreatment #RadiationTherapy

Monadi N¹ ; Shahbazigahrouei D¹ ; Monadi S² ; Mahani L² ; Shams A² ; Akhavan A³ ; Mohammadi R⁴
Source: International Journal of Radiation Research Published:2023

Abstract

Background: This study aims to evaluate and compare Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy (3D-CRT) versus Helical Tomotherapy (HT) based on treatment planning and selection of the most appropriate method to reduce side effects. Materials and Methods: Treatment planning was performed on images of 20 patients with head and neck cancer with lymph node involvement by HT and 3D-CRT techniques in Seyed Al-Shohada hospital, Isfahan, Iran. The quality of target coverage, the exposure of normal tissue, and radiation delivery efficiency in two studied methods were compared. Results: Tomotherapy showed significant improvement over 3D-CRT in terms of D2%, D50% Dmean, V95%, CI (conformity index), and HI (homogeneity index) for PTV (planning target volume) and in terms of D2%, D98%, Dmean, V95%, CI and HI for PTV Nodal. The mean dose received by 98% of PTV (D98%) increased in HT compared to 3D-CRT. Whereas, higher doses received in organs at risk (OARs) in 3D-CRT compared to HT. Conclusion: Results showed improvements in target quality for HT over 3D-CRT, including dosimetric coverage of target volumes, homogeneity and conformity indices, and reduction of the volume of cold and hot spots. Tomotherapy also performed better than that of 3D-CRT in OARs. Overall, with the satisfactory results obtained here, HT technique has considerable promise for treating head and neck cancers with the involvement of regional lymph nodes. © 2023 Novin Medical Radiation Institute. All rights reserved.