Journal of Medical Physics (Jan 2018)

Dosimetric effect of jaw tracking in volumetric-modulated arc therapy

  • Sangutid Thongsawad,
  • Chirasak Khamfongkhruea,
  • Chirapha Tannanonta

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/jmp.JMP_75_17
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 43, no. 1
pp. 52 – 57

Abstract

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The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of jaw tracking with the volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) to reduce the normal tissue dose. Plans of nasopharynx, lung, and prostate cancers (10 plans for each) were used to perform VMAT with and without jaw tracking. The dose reduction was evaluated in terms of organ doses and integral doses. Organ-dose reduction with jaw tracking was statistically significant in the volume receiving a dose of 5 Gy (V5) of bladder, rectum, and lung, the volume receiving a dose of 10 Gy (V10) of bladder, rectum, and lung, and the mean dose of lung (P < 0.05). Integral-dose reduction with jaw tracking was statistically significant in almost all the treatment plans (P < 0.05). For organ-dose reduction, jaw tracking in VMAT plan was effective in reducing V5and V10. For integral-dose reduction, jaw tracking in VMAT plan is an efficient method for decreasing V5.

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