Dosimetric Comparison of Three Radiotherapy Techniques in Irradiation of Left-Sided Breast Cancer Patients after Radical Mastectomy

Abstract

Introduction. This study is aimed at evaluating the dosimetric differences among target segmented planning (TSP), conventional 9-field intensity modulated radiation therapy (9FIMRT) planning, and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) planning for postmastectomy radiotherapy of left-sided breast cancer patients. Material and Methods. Fifteen left-sided breast cancer patients who underwent radical mastectomy were enrolled. In TSP, the planning target volume (PTV) was divided into four regions (supra/infraclavicular, chest wall, external mammary region, and internal mammary region), and each individual PTV region was treated with respective fixed fields. Results. The VMAT plans showed superior to PTV dose conformity index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), protection of the ipsilateral lung, monitor units (MUs), and maximum dose (Dmax) to the contralateral breast compared with TSP and 9FIMRT plans. The TSP provided better protection for Dmean of the heart and left ventricle (p<0.05). A dose for left anterior descending artery from the three techniques had no significant difference. Compared with the 9FIMRT plans, the V5Gy (%) and V10Gy (%) for the ipsilateral lung were significantly reduced with TSP and VMAT (p<0.05). The V5Gy (%) and V10Gy (%) for the ipsilateral lung turned out to be similar between VMAT and TSP techniques. Conclusions. Our study indicates that VMAT should be a better choice of radiotherapy for left-sided breast cancer patients after radical mastectomy. If VMAT is unavailable, 9FIMRT can achieve better CI and HI values and be more MU-efficient compared with TSP; however, TSP can effectively reduce the low dose volume of the ipsilateral lungs and heart.