open access
The “one-isocenter-quarter-beam” technique as a radiotherapy of breast cancer patients
open access
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.
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.
Keywords
breast cancer; irradiation; new technique
About this articleTitle
The “one-isocenter-quarter-beam” technique as a radiotherapy of breast cancer patients
Journal
Reports of Practical Oncology and Radiotherapy
Issue
Pages
307-312
Published online
2005-01-01
DOI
10.1016/S1507-1367(05)71104-4
Bibliographic record
Rep Pract Oncol Radiother 2005;10(6):307-312.
Keywords
breast cancer
irradiation
new technique
Authors
Hubert Urbańczyk
Leszek Hawrylewicz
Małgorzata Ganowicz
Leszek Misztal
Bożena Woźniak
Jerzy Wydmański
Leszek Miszczyk