Comparison of Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy and Dynamic Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy With Regard to Dose Distribution and Sparing of Organs at Risk

Abstract

Dose escalation to the target while sparing the organs at risk near the lesion has been difficult over the last decade. However, recent radiotherapy techniques can deliver more sophisticated doses to the target. This study evaluated whether intensity modulated radiotherapy can deliver more homogeneous and conformal doses to the target than dynamic three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy while sparing organs at risk near the lesion in 13 patients with central nervous system tumors and other tumors around the central nervous system. Dynamic three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and intensity modulated radiotherapy plans were calculated and dose distributions were compared for all patients with regard to the planning target volume and organs at risk. The plan of intensity modulated radiotherapy was significantly superior to that of dynamic three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy in target dose conformity (p = 0.0006) and organs at risk sparing (p = 0.0257). Intensity modulated radiotherapy could deliver more homogeneous and conformal doses to the target than dynamic three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy with sparing organs at risk near the lesion and may improve local control of radioresistant tumors via dose escalation.