Dosimetric comparison between step-shoot intensity-modulated radiotherapy and volumetric-modulated arc therapy for upper thoracic and cervical esophageal carcinoma.

To compare and analyze the dosimetric characteristics of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) vs step-shoot intensity-modulated radiation therapy (sIMRT) for upper thoracic and cervical esophageal carcinoma. Single-arc VMAT (VMAT1), dual-arc VMAT (VMAT2), and 7-field sIMRT plans were designed for 30 patients with upper thoracic or cervical esophageal carcinoma. Planning target volume (PTV) was prescribed to 50.4Gy in 28 fractions, and PTV1 was prescribed to 60Gy in 28 fractions. The parameters evaluated included dose homogeneity and conformality, dose to organs at risk (OARs), and delivery efficiency. (1) In comparison to sIMRT, VMAT provided a systematic improvement in PTV1 coverage. The homogeneity index of VMAT1 was better than that of VMAT2. There were no significant differences among sIMRT, VMAT1, and VMAT2 in PTV coverage. (2) VMAT1 and VMAT2 reduced the maximum dose of spinal cord as compared with sIMRT (p < 0.05). The rest dose-volume characteristics of OARs were similar. (3) Monitor units of VMAT2 and VMAT1 were more than sIMRT. However, the treatment time of VMAT1, VMAT2, and sIMRT was (2.0 ± 0.2), (2.8 ± 0.3), and (9.8 ± 0.8) minutes, respectively. VMAT1 was the fastest, and the difference was statistically significant. In the treatment of upper thoracic and cervical esophageal carcinoma by the AXESSE linac, compared with 7-field sIMRT, VMAT showed better PTV1 coverage and superior spinal cord sparing. Single-arc VMAT had similar target volume coverage and the sparing of OAR to dual-arc VMAT, with shortest treatment time and highest treatment efficiency in the 3 kinds of plans.

Gao M ，Li Q ，Ning Z ，Gu W ，Huang J ，Mu J ，Pei H ... -  《-》

Single arc volumetric-modulated arc therapy is sufficient for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a dosimetric comparison with dual arc VMAT and dynamic MLC and step-and-shoot intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Ning ZH ，Mu JM ，Jin JX ，Li XD ，Li QL ，Gu WD ，Huang J ，Han Y ，Pei HL ... -  《Radiation Oncology》

A dosimetric comparison of double-arc volumetric arc therapy, step-shoot intensity modulated radiotherapy and 3D-CRT for left-sided breast cancer radiotherapy after breast-conserving surgery.

Mo JC ，Huang J ，Gu WD ，Gao M ，Ning ZH ，Mu JM ，Li QL ，Pei HL ... -  《-》

Applying the technique of volume-modulated arc radiotherapy to upper esophageal carcinoma.

Ma P ，Wang X ，Xu Y ，Dai J ，Wang L ... -  《Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics》

Volumetric-modulated arc therapy for the treatment of a large planning target volume in thoracic esophageal cancer.

Abbas AS ，Moseley D ，Kassam Z ，Kim SM ，Cho C ... -  《Journal of Applied Clinical Medical Physics》