title: Importance of PET/CT scan use in planning radiation therapy for lymphoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Radiation therapy is a key part of the combined modality treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), which can achieve locoregional control of disease. The 3D-conformal radiation oncology can be extended-field (EFRT), involved-field (IFRT) and involved node (INRT). New techniques have resulted in a smaller radiation field and lower dose for critical organs such as lung heart and breast.
  
  
  METHODS
  In our research, we made a virtual simulation for one patient who was treated in four different radiotherapeutic techniques: mantle field (MFRT), EFRT, IFRT and INRT. After delineatiion we compared dose-volume histograms for each technique. The fusion of CT for planning radiotherapy with the initial PET/CT was made using Softver Xio 4.6 in the Focal program. The dose for all four techniques was 36Gy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results support the use of PET/CT in radiation therapy planning. With IFRT and INRT, the burden on the organs at risk is less than with MFRT and EFRT. On the other hand, the dose distribution in the target volume is much better with the latter.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The aim of modern radiotherapy of HL and NHL is to reduce the intensity of treatment and therefore PET/CT should be used to reduce and not increase the amount of tissue receiving radiation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Oncology of Vojvodina, Sremska Kamenica, Serbia E-mail : mija.mitric@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mitric-Askovic
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Milana
authors.forename: Erak
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marko
authors.forename: Latinovic
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Miroslav
authors.forename: Dugandzija
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tihomir
mesh_terms: D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000379:methods; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000379:methods