Dosimetric analysis of 3D-conformal radiotherapy and intensity modulated radiotherapy for treatment of advanced stage cervical cancer: A comparative study

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the dosimetric parameters of three dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with seven and nine fields (7F-IMRT, 9F-IMRT) in selected advanced stage cervical cancer cases. Methods: Fifteen cases of cervical cancer (IIB to IIIB) were selected for retrospective analysis. All the cases were previously treated with 3DCRT technique with prescribed dose of 50 Gy in 25 fractions. For this study, plans with seven fields IMRT and nine fields IMRT were generated for all patients following Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) guidelines. The plans were compared on the basis of planning target volume (PTV) coverage (dose to 1%, 5%, 95% and 99% of target), maximum dose and mean dose to organs at risk (OARs) and also doses at different volumes of OARs. Apart from this, uniformity index (UI), homogeneity index (HI), conformity index (CI) and dose spillage index (R50%) were also calculated with respect to PTV coverage. Results: The average dose value of PTV coverage for all three techniques were comparable and all the DVH indices for 7field IMRT (UI (1.04±0.01), HI (0.07 ±0.02), CI (0.75±0.03) and R50% (4.47±0.36)) were better than 3DCRT and 9F-IMRT techniques. All OAR doses were significantly reduced in 7F- IMRT compared to 3DCRT and 9F- IMRT. The target volumes ranged from 769.2 ml to 1375.6 ml with average target volume of 1071.9 ml (SD: 205.38 ml). Conclusion: This study showed that significant dose reduction to OARs could be achieved with seven field IMRT plans by maintaining the PTV coverage compared to 3DCRT or 9F- IMRT for treating cervical cancer in advanced stages particularly from IIB to IIIB.