A comparative evaluation of two head and neck immobilization devices using verification film for head and neck cancer patients receiving radiation therapy at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) aero-digestive tract

Abstract

Background: Accurate and reproducible patient positioning is fundamental to the success of fractionated radiotherapy. To achieve accurate daily treatment delivery, various immobilization devices are used in radiotherapy departments. At ORCI the mostly used immobilization devices for radiotherapy treatment of head and neck cancer patients are thermoplastic mask and LS-2000. However, the effectiveness and accuracy of these immobilization devices in daily set-up is not known. This study was performed to evaluate accuracy and reproducibility of patient setup for both thermoplastic mask and LS-2000 devices, during irradiation of head and neck tumors.