title: Parotid gland as a risk organ in whole brain radiotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Since the introduction of CT-based simulation for use in whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), we have observed that a large volume of the parotid glands is included in the radiation fields. The purpose of this study is to analyze the dose-volume statistics of the parotid glands in patients undergoing WBRT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two patients received WBRT using CT-based simulation with bilateral two-field arrangement. Daily fraction was 3 Gy with total dose of 30 Gy in 2 weeks. We analyzed the radiation dose from WBRT to the parotid glands.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average of the mean parotid dose was 17.5 Gy (range, 10.5-26.2) for both glands. Mean parotid doses ≥20 and ≥25 Gy were observed in 22 (34.4%) and 4 (6.3%) of 64 individual glands. The numbers of patients with a mean parotid dose of both glands ≥20Gy and ≥25 Gy were 12 (37.5%) and 1 (3.1%), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mean parotid dose was variable in patients with WBRT. According to the parotid dose and combined potential risk factors, parotid glands can be regarded as a risk organ in WBRT for improvement of patient quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Youngtong-Gu, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: O Kyu
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Noh
authors.forename: Mison
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.forename: Sang Soo
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.forename: Hyunsoo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Sunmi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jo
authors.forename: Young-Taek
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Jun Chul
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Lim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000556:secondary; D016371:Cranial Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012306:Risk