Dosimetric comparison of intensity-modulated radiation therapy for early-stage glottic cancers with and without the air cavity in the planning target volume
For early-stage glottic cancers, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has been shown to have comparable local control to 3D-conformal radiotherapy with the advantage of decreased dose to the carotid arteries. The planning target volume (PTV) for early glottic cancers typically includes the entire larynx, plus a 3 to 5 mm uniform margin. The air cavity within the larynx creates a challenge for the inverse optimization process as the software attempts to “build up” dose within the air. This unnecessary attempt at dose build-up in air can lead to hot spots within the rest of the PTV and surrounding soft tissue.
Source: Medical Dosimetry - Category: Radiology Authors: David Asher, William Amestoy, Matthew T. Studenski, Stuart E. Samuels, Matthew C. Abramowitz, Laura M. Freedman, Nagy Elsayyad, Michael A. Samuels Source Type: research
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