Feasibility of Treating Superficial Complex Targets using Advanced Radiation Therapy Planning

Abstract

Aim: Superficial targets are those which either is on skin surface or within 1-2cm of skin surface. If the target is widespread and situated in conjunction with vital normal structures, it is complicated to treat. Here we discuss three situations, were we used megavoltage photons to treat scalp, face and combined scalp and face lesions. Materials and Methods: One case is a verrucous carcinoma of scalp after excision of the tumours treated with radical radiation. He had good response with radiation and is on regular follow up. Next one is peripheral T cell lymphoma of the face which was resistant to chemotherapy. He also had excellent response to radiation and good palliation of symptoms, but due to the biology of the disease, he developed widespread disease. And a rare angiosarcoma of face and scalp, which was inoperable, and underwent PET-CT based planning for his lesion. He had satisfactory regression of the lesions. Results: Good target coverage with acceptable normal tissue constraints was achieved in all the three cases and there was a good clinical regression of the tumours. Thus with modern planning techniques, complex targets can be treated adequately. Conclusion: With improved technology complex superficial targets can be treated adequately with high energy photon beams.