title: Dosimetric comparison between IMRT delivery modes: Step-and-shoot, sliding window, and volumetric modulated arc therapy - for whole pelvis radiation therapy of intermediate-to-high risk prostate adenocarcinoma.
abstract: THIS STUDY WAS PERFORMED TO EVALUATE DOSIMETRIC DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CURRENT INTENSITY MODULATED RADIATION THERAPY (IMRT) DELIVERY MODES: Step-and-shoot (SS), sliding window (SW), and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Plans for 15 prostate cancer patients with 10 MV photon beams using each IMRT mode were generated. Patients had three planning target volumes (PTVs) including prostate, prostate plus seminal vesicles, and pelvic lymphatics. Dose volume histograms (DVHs) of PTVs and organs at risk (OARs), tumor control probability (TCP) and normal tissue complication probabilities (NTCPs), conformation number, and monitor units (MUs) used were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using the analysis of variance (ANOVA) technique. The TCPs were < 99% with insignificant differences among modalities (P > 0.99). Doses to all critical structures were higher on average with SW method compared to SS, but insignificant. NTCP values were lowest for VMAT in all structures excepting bladder. Normal tissue volumes receiving doses in the 20-30 Gy range were reduced for VMAT compared to SS. Percentage of MUs required for VMAT to deliver a comparable plan to SS and SW was at least 40% less. In conclusion, similar target coverage and normal tissue doses were found by the three compared modes and the dosimetric differences were small.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
authors.forename: Tania De La Fuente
authors.initials: Tde L
authors.lastname: Herman
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
authors.forename: Erich
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schnell
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Young
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hildebrand
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
authors.forename: Ozer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Algan
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Syzek
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
authors.forename: Terence
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Herman
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA.
authors.forename: Salahuddin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmad
keywords: Intensity modulated radiation therapy; prostate cancer; sliding window; step-and-shoot; volumetric modulated arc therapy