The “one-isocenter-quarter-beam” technique as a radiotherapy of breast cancer patients

Abstract

Aim

To describe the “one-isocentre-quarter-beam” technique, used in the Department of Radiotherapy, Maria Skłodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Center, and in the Institute of Oncology, Gliwice Branch.

Materials/Methods

Sixty eight patients were treated using the “one-isocentre-quarter-beam” technique in our department. On the basis of this experience, we show the methods for treatment planning and irradiation and the methodology for marking the isocentre and fields. The workloads and times necessary for treatment planning and everyday irradiation were described along with the methodology for the collimation of the side of the lung and for the best alignment of tangential breast and supraclavicular fields. Other methods for irradiation were also compared and described.

Results

This technique, with some modifications, is useful in several clinical situations, such as postoperative irradiation of patients after radical mastectomy or breast conserving therapy.

The application of the described technique, together with the use of the IMRT technique, promises new possibilities.

Conclusions

The “one-isocentre-quarter-beam” technique permits the avoidance of hot spots. Planning is more time-consuming though an overall time benefit is seen during everyday irradiation. Reproducibility of positioning is simple and precise.