Does weight loss predict accuracy of setup in head and neck cancer patients treated with Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy?
OBJECTIVE
This prospective study reports the impact of weight loss on setup of head and neck (H&N) cancer patients treated by Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT).


METHODS
Setup errors of H&N cancer patients treated by IMRT from January to June 2010 were prospectively analysed and statistically related to weight loss. A mixed linear model was used for statistical evaluations. Setup margins of our institute were also calculated.


RESULTS
Twenty-two patients and 128 pairs of Electronic Portal Images (EPI) were analysed. Setup errors varied between -0.6 and +0.6, -0.7 and +0.8 and -0.2 and +0.8 in the anterior-posterior, superior-inferior and right-left direction, respectively. Median and mean weight loss were 2.1 and 3.1 kg (range 0-12 kg), respectively; median and mean percent of weight loss were 2.95% and 4.64% (range 0.3-19.7%), respectively. No statistical relation was seen between weight loss and the setup errors.


CONCLUSIONS
Weight loss is not a good clinical parameters for predicting an increase of setup errors. Other clinical and/or anthropometrical features should be prospectively evaluated in order to assess the need for re-planning.
Département de Radiothérapie Oncologie, Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud, Chemin du Grand-Revoyet, 69310, Pierre-Bénite, France. bdebari@yahoo.it
B
B
De Bari
M
M
Ait Erraisse
T
T
Chekrine
M
M
Rabilloud
I
I
Shakir Shakir
L
L
Lebras
V
V
Favrel
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D061106:Radiotherapy Setup Errors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D015431:Weight Loss