Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Dosimetric Comparison of two Methods of Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy and Helical Tomotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer Patients with Involvement of Regional Lymph Nodes

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors
Nikta Monadi 1
Daryoush Shahbazi-Gahrouei 2
Shahram Monadi 3
Ali Shams 3
Ali Akhavan 4
1 MSc of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
3 MSc of Medical Physics, Department of Radiation Oncology, Seyed Al-Shohada Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
4 Associate Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
10.48305/jims.v40.i699.1023
Abstract
Background: Head and Neck cancers remain a significant problem due to their high morbidity and mortality and in most cases, require regional lymph nodes radiotherapy treatment. This work aims to evaluate and compare two methods of Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy (3D-CRT) and Helical Tomotherapy (HT) based on treatment planning and selection of the most appropriate method to reduce side effects.
Methods: In this study, 20 patients with head and neck cancers were considered for treatment in the radiotherapy department of Seyed Alshohada Hospital, Isfahan, Iran. Two methods of HT and 3D-CRT were done using a 6 MeV photon energy apparatus and specific treatment planning algorithms. The dose-volume distribution curve (DVH), the dosimetric variables of the target organ, the radiation delivery efficiency, and the organs at risk were determined and results were compared with each other.
Findings: In HT the dose received by %95 planning target volume (PTV) and value doses of %2 and %98 showed significant improvement over 3D-CRT. For all studied organs at risk (OARs), the decrease in Dmax of HT was significant compared to 3-DCRT.
Conclusion: Helical tomotherapy enhances the target volume coverage and offers a good dose distribution. HT compared to 3D-CRT is a desirable method in treating head and neck cancer patients with the involvement of regional lymph nodes.
Keywords
Head and neck cancers
Radiotherapy
Dosimetry
3-D conformal radiotherapy
Tomotherapy
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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 40, Issue 699
3rd Week,, February
January and February 2023
Pages 1023-1028