Andreas K Johansson1,2, Bo Lennernäs3, Ulf Isacsson4. 1. Section of Medical Physics, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden andreas.johansson@igp.uu.se. 2. Centre for Clinical Research Sörmland, Uppsala University, Eskilstuna, Sweden. 3. Department of Oncology, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro, Sweden. 4. Section of Medical Physics, Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Abstract
AIM: To quantify the impact of decreased margins for two treatment techniques, three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT), on local control in curative treatment of prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The planning target volume (PTV) margins were decreased in steps of 1 mm from 10 to 1 mm. Treatment plans using 3D-CRT and VMAT technique were produced for all margin sizes and the dose to the neuro vascular bundles (NVB), that was not included in the PTV, was investigated. RESULTS: Due to the more conformal dose delivery using VMAT, the dose to the NVB decreased more rapidly by VMAT compared to the 3D-CRT plans. The dose difference was significant for margins from 1-7 mm. CONCLUSION: One should be very cautious before clinical routines are changed, bearing in mind whether the change means more conformal treatment technique, smaller margins or target segmentation in different imaging modalities. Copyright
AIM: To quantify the impact of decreased margins for two treatment techniques, three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT), on local control in curative treatment of prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The planning target volume (PTV) margins were decreased in steps of 1 mm from 10 to 1 mm. Treatment plans using 3D-CRT and VMAT technique were produced for all margin sizes and the dose to the neuro vascular bundles (NVB), that was not included in the PTV, was investigated. RESULTS: Due to the more conformal dose delivery using VMAT, the dose to the NVB decreased more rapidly by VMAT compared to the 3D-CRT plans. The dose difference was significant for margins from 1-7 mm. CONCLUSION: One should be very cautious before clinical routines are changed, bearing in mind whether the change means more conformal treatment technique, smaller margins or target segmentation in different imaging modalities. Copyright