A template for forward planning in prostate cancer treatment: conformal irradiation with segmental intensity-modulation.
OBJECTIVE
The use of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has proven to be effective in radiation therapy of the prostate, but difficulties in quality assurance (QA) and prolonged planning time are considered problems. We proposed a template for prostate irradiation using conventional treatment fields.


METHODS
To establish a general treatment method, we used computed tomography scan studies of 50 male patients with various diseases as anatomic references for planning. Ten ports were used for irradiation. Each port was set to the same weight and at the same angle.


RESULTS
The plans for all cases were generated easily, and dose distributions showed uniform properties. Dose volume histogram (DVHs) of all the plans gave an approximated distribution. The results showed hardly any influenced due to body shape or the prostate size. The average dose in the planning target volume (PTV) was very close to the prescribed dose (75Gy), and the average normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) of the rectum was 1.61.


CONCLUSIONS
Although direct comparison with IMRT is difficult, the treatment plan obtained using this method is not inferior to those obtained using conventional IMRT plans. Moreover, it is useful as a standard in the comparison of various treatment plans.
Taira
Sakae
S
Department of Radiology, Takaoka City Hospital, Takaoka, Toyama, Japan. sakae_taira@yahoo.co.jp
Hizume
Masato
M
Note
Ichiro
I
Sugimoto
Jyunichi
J
Okita
Ryuji
R
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed