Most Appropriate Radiation Therapy Techniques for The Breast Cancer Treatment: Dosimetric Analysis of Three Different Radiation Therapy Methods

Abstract

Background: Radiation-induced cardiac events and pneumonitis are the major late radiotherapy side effects. Methods: We explored the differences in dose distribution between 3D CRT, IMRT and VMAT in 125 women with unilateral breast cancer. The various dose distribution to the tumor and OARs were studied for left and right sided irradiation. Results: Upon using 3D CRT breasts with lymph nodes, we observed a significant dose increase in the ipsilateral lung. Having irradiated only the right breast, there was a negligible Dmean difference to the adjacent lung between three methods, likewise for the myocardium in left breast cases. For right-sided cases 3D CRT showed the lowest doses in myocardium. Conclusion: Radiation oncologists should consider VMAT if conditions do not allow devising three plans with different methods. This in turn will reduce cardio and pneumotoxicity of left breast cancer treatment. In the treatment of right breast cancer, physicians should focus on 3D CRT.