Navigating Through and Around the Field Size Limitation on Varian Linear Accelerators When Planning Large IMRT Cases Using the Philips Pinnacle Treatment Planning System

Abstract

To determine the best method by which the result of the field width limitation on the Varian Linear Accelerator is minimized in the final treatment plan. There is a maximum field width on the Varian linear accelerators that is often smaller than the width of some PTV's in large IMRT cases. This often presents a difficult planning problem that must be navigated around during the planning process in order to achieve the best clinical result and outcome.