title: Technical solutions to reduce mediastinal irradiation in young patients undergoing treatment for lymphomas: Preliminary experience.
abstract: This study aims at optimizing treatment planning in young patients affected by lymphoma (Stage II to III) by using an inclined board (IB) that allows reducing doses to the organs at risk. We evaluated 19 young patients affected by stage I to III lymphomas, referred to our Department for consolidation radiotherapy (RT) treatment on the mediastinum. Patients underwent 2 planning computed tomography (CT) scans performed in different positions: flat standard position and inclined position. A direct comparison between the different treatment plans was carried out analyzing dosimetric parameters obtained from dose-volume histograms generated for each plan. Comparison was performed to evaluate the sparing obtained on breast and heart. Dosimetric evaluation was performed for the following organs at risk (OARs): mammary glands, lungs, and heart. A statistically significant advantage was reported for V5, V20, and V30for the breast when using the inclined board. A similar result was obtained for V5and V10on the heart. No advantage was observed in lung doses. The use of a simple device, such as an inclined board, allows the optimization of treatment plan, especially in young female patients, by ensuring a significant reduction of the dose delivered to breast and heart.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Therapy Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiotherapy, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Michaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benassi
authors.affiliation: Radiation Therapy Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiotherapy, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Luana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Murro
authors.affiliation: Radiation Therapy Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiotherapy, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: barbara.tolu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tolu
authors.affiliation: Radiation Therapy Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiotherapy, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ponti
authors.affiliation: Radiation Therapy Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiotherapy, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Daniela
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Falco
authors.affiliation: Interdepartmental Centre of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: Radiation Therapy Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiotherapy, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bagalà
authors.affiliation: Radiation Therapy Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiotherapy, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: di Cristino
authors.affiliation: Radiation Therapy Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiotherapy, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Murgia
authors.affiliation: Radiation Therapy Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiotherapy, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cicchetti
authors.affiliation: Radiation Therapy Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiotherapy, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bruni
authors.affiliation: Radiation Therapy Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiotherapy, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morelli
authors.affiliation: Radiation Therapy Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiotherapy, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lancia
authors.affiliation: Radiation Therapy Unit, Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Molecular Imaging, Interventional Radiology and Radiotherapy, University of Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Santoni
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000528:radiation effects*; D058958:Organs at Risk; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted
keywords: Breast dose reduction; Heart dose reduction; Hodgkin lymphoma; Inclined board; Non-Hodgkin lymphoma; Radiotherapy