1 research outputs found
Intensity modulated radiotherapy in abdominal malignancies: Our experience in reducing the dose to normal structures as compared to the gross tumor
Background and Purpose: A better understanding of appropriate
sequencing and use of multimodality approach in the management and
subsequent improvement in overall survival mandates a vigil on quality
of life issues. Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is a powerful
tool, which might go a long way in reducing radiation doses to critical
structures and thereby reduce long term morbidities. The purpose of
this paper is to evaluate the impact of IMRT in reducing the dose to
the critical normal tissues while maintaining the desired dose to the
volume of interest for abdominal malignancies. Materials and Methods:
During the period January 2002 to March 2004, 11 patients of various
sites of malignancies in the abdominal region were treated using
physical intensity modulator based IMRT. Plans of these patients
treated with IMRT were analyzed using dose volume histograms.
Results: An average dose reduction of the mean values by 50% to the
liver, 57% to the right kidney, 56% to the left kidney, 66% to the cord
and 27% to the bowel, with respect to the GTV could be achieved with
IMRT. The two-year disease free survival was 79% and two-year overall
survival was 88%. The average number of IMRT fields used was six.
Conclusion: IMRT with inverse planning enabled us to achieve desired
dose distribution, due to its ability to provide sharp dose gradients
at the junction of tumor and the adjacent critical organs