Comparison of conformal radiotherapy, intensity-modulated radiotherapy and tomotherapy irradiation techniques in prostate cancers

Abstract

Aim The aim of this study is to compare three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT), intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and tomotherapy techniques used in the treatment of prostate cancer with target and critical organ doses to be included. Materials and Methods The target dose was studied with 4-and 6-field 3D-CRT, 7-field IMRT and tomotherapy techniques used to treat ten patients for prostate cancer and the dose volume histograms of critical organs were analyzed. The same target volumes, critical organs doses prescribed and treatment times for the three techniques were compared. Total dose of 76 Gy was given using 6 MV and 18 MV for 3D-CRT, 6 MV for IMRT and tomotherapy techniques. Results When we compare the three techniques, for rectum V 35 (p:0·001), V 65 (p:0·001), D 50 (p:0·020) and D 25 (p:0·002), for bladder V 50 (p:0·027), V 65 (p:0·006), V 100 (p:0·006) and for femoral head, the V 50 (p:0·001) dose was found to be significantly different and more favourable in the tomotherapy technique. Significant differences were found with IMRT planning in 50% of bladder volume (p:0·002). There is no significant difference between the three techniques for doses of 100% volume of rectum and 25% of volume of bladder. The minimum dose that healthy tissue received which was outside the tumour volume was investigated. Findings Doses to critical organs were lower using the tomotherapy technique. However, the minimum doses that healthy tissue received were higher for the tomotherapy technique. When the beam on times were compared for all three techniques, a significant difference was found in favor of tomotherapy.