Geometric factors influencing dosimetric sparing of the parotid glands using IMRT Journal Article


Authors: Hunt, M. A.; Jackson, A.; Narayana, A.; Lee, N.
Article Title: Geometric factors influencing dosimetric sparing of the parotid glands using IMRT
Abstract: Purpose/Objective: To determine the relationship between the parotid volume, parotid-planning target volume (PTV) overlap, and dosimetric sparing of the parotid with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Methods and Materials: Parotid data were collected retrospectively for 51 patients treated with simultaneous boost IMRT. Unresectable patients received 54 or 59.4 Gy to subclinical disease, 70 Gy to gross disease. Patients treated postoperatively received 54, 60, and 66 Gy to low-risk, high-risk, and tumor bed regions. Volume and mean dose of each gland and gland segments outside of and overlapping the PTV were collected. Proximity of each gland to each PTV was recorded. Results: Dosimetric sparing (mean dose ≤26.5 Gy) was achieved in 66 of 71 glands with ≤21% parotid-PTV overlap and 8 of 23 glands with >21% overlap (p = <0.0001). Among spared glands, the median mean dose in the overlap region was 55.0 Gy in glands with ≤21% overlap, but only 45.4 Gy when overlap >21%. Median mean dose was 25.9 Gy to glands overlapping PTV 54 or PTV 59 alone and 30.0 Gy to those abutting PTV 70 (p < 0.001). Although proximity to PTV 70 was associated with higher parotid dose, satisfactory sparing was achieved in 24 of 43 ipsilateral glands. Conclusions: Dosimetric sparing of the parotid is feasible when the parotid-PTV overlap is less than approximately 20%. With more overlap, sparing may result in low doses within the overlap region, possibly leading to inadequate PTV coverage. Gland proximity to the high-dose PTV is associated with higher mean dose but does not always preclude dosimetric sparing. © 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords: controlled study; retrospective studies; major clinical study; intensity modulated radiation therapy; postoperative care; radiation dose; radiotherapy dosage; radiotherapy; algorithms; information processing; feasibility study; head and neck cancer; tumors; head and neck neoplasms; radiotherapy, intensity-modulated; dosimetry; geometry; radiation injuries; high risk population; patient treatment; parotid gland; intensity-modulated radiation therapy; head-and-neck cancer; parotid glands; data acquisition; parotid; dosimetric sparing
Journal Title: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
Volume: 66
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0360-3016
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 2006-09-01
Start Page: 296
End Page: 304
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2006.05.028
PUBMED: 16904529
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 15" - "Export Date: 4 June 2012" - "CODEN: IOBPD" - "Source: Scopus"
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  1. Nancy Y. Lee
    871 Lee
  2. Andrew Jackson
    253 Jackson
  3. Margie A Hunt
    287 Hunt