Carcinoma of the anal canal: Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) versus three‐dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT). Issue 4 (25th November 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sale, Charlotte; Moloney, Phillip; Mathlum, Maitham
• Is Part Of: Journal of medical radiation sciences. Volume 60:Issue 4(2013:Dec.)
• Page Start: 145
• Page End: 155
• Publication Date: 2013-11-25
• Subjects: Radiology, Medical -- Periodicals; Radiology, Medical -- Australia -- Periodicals; Radiology, Medical -- New Zealand -- Periodicals; Radiotherapy -- Periodicals; Diagnostic imaging -- Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1002/jmrs.28
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2051-3895

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jmrs28-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="jmrs28-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Introduction</title> <p>Patients with anal canal carcinoma treated with standard conformal radiotherapy frequently experience severe acute and late toxicity reactions to the treatment area. Roohipour et al. (<italic>Dis Colon Rectum</italic> 2008; <bold>51</bold>: 147–53) stated a patient's tolerance of chemoradiation to be an important prediction of treatment success. A new intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) technique for anal carcinoma cases has been developed at the Andrew Love Cancer Centre aimed at reducing radiation to surrounding healthy tissue.</p> </sec> <sec id="jmrs28-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>A same‐subject repeated measures design was used for this study, where five anal carcinoma cases at the Andrew Love Cancer Centre were selected. Conformal and IMRT plans were generated and dosimetric evaluations were performed. Each plan was prescribed a total of 54 Gray (Gy) over a course of 30 fractions to the primary site.</p> </sec> <sec id="jmrs28-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>The IMRT plans resulted in improved dosimetry to the planning target volume (PTV) and reduction in radiation to the critical structures (bladder, external genitalia and femoral heads). Statistically there was no difference between the IMRT and conformal plans in the dose to the small and large bowel; however, the bowel IMRT dose–volume histogram (DVH) doses were consistently lower.</p> </sec> <sec id="jmrs28-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>The IMRT plans were superior to the conformal plans with improved dose conformity and reduced radiation to the surrounding healthy tissue. Anecdotally it was found that patients tolerated the IMRT treatment better than the three‐dimensional (3D) conformal radiation therapy. This study describes and compares the planning techniques.</p> </sec> </abstract>