title: Comparison of linear accelerator and helical tomotherapy plans for glioblastoma multiforme patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite advances in radiotherapy, overall survival of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) patients is still poor. Moreover dosimetrical analyses with these newer treatment methods are insufficient. The current study is aimed to compare intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) linear accelerator (linac) and helical tomotherapy (HT) treatment plans for patients with prognostic aggressive brain tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 20 GBM patient plans were prospectively evaluated in both linac and HT planning systems. Plans are compared with respect to homogenity index, conformity index and organs at risk (OAR) sparing effects of the treatments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both treatment plans provided good results that can be applied to GBM patients but it was concluded that if the critical organs with relatively lower dose constraints are closer to the target region, HT for radiotherapeutical application could be preferred.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tomotherapy plans were superior to linear accelerator plans from the aspect of OAR sparing with slightly broader low dose ranges over the healthy tissues. In case a clinic has both of these IMRT systems, employment of HT is recommended based on the observed results and future re-irradiation strategies must be considered.
authors.affiliation: Regional Training and Research Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, Erzurum, TurkeyE-mail : timurkoca3@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Timur
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Koca
authors.forename: Hamit
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Basaran
authors.forename: Duygu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sezen
authors.forename: Sibel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karaca
authors.forename: Yasemin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ors
authors.forename: Deniz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Arslan
authors.forename: Aysen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aydin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010315:Particle Accelerators; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed