Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Student in Department of Basic Sciences, Biophysics Unit, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

2 Assistant Professor, Biophysics Unit, Department of Basic Science, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University (HMU), Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm in women, accounting for 25% of all cancers. Radiotherapy is one of the safest methods compared with other treatments.
Methods: In this study, 8 patients with left breast cancer underwent the radiation therapy. After simulating the tomographic data of breast cancer patients, treatment planning was performed in the treatment planning system, and then the clinical target volume and the planned target volume were determined.
Results: The mean CI (1.162 ± 0.011) in Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) was significantly lower than CI (1.173 ± 0.28) in Volumetric Arc Radiation Therapy (VMAT) (P ≤ 0.02), indicates that IMRT technique had lower CI which means better dose conformity within the PTV. Also, the mean HI (0.696 ± 0.333) in VMAT was significant compared to IMRT, the mean HI (0.558 ± 0.288) (P ≤ 0.04), the results on better PTV dose distribution by using VMAT technique. Planning target volume (PTV) was consistent with indicators and PTV coverage value (97.563 ± 1.471) in IMRT and (96.677 ± 1.018) in VMAT, means that the PTV coverage was better by using IMRT technique rather than VMAT. The mean dose to left breast was (42.118 ± 0464) prescribed dose. Ref. vol. CC, D2%, and D98% were received (736.898 ± 235.140), (4618.931 ± 107.658), and (3765.475 ± 71.195), respectively.
Conclusion: IMRT method is one of the new cancer treatment techniques that in comparison with other methods by accurately targeting cancer cells and tumors, it has the least impact on healthy tissues and reduces the side effects as much as possible.

Graphical Abstract

Intensity Modulated Radiation and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapies in Breast Cancer

Keywords

Introduction

Currently, cancer is the leading cause of death in economically developed and developed countries. Due to the aging population, the cancer incidence is increasing, so that it is estimated that 82% of the inhabitants of less developed countries have been diagnosed with cancer in recent years [1]. Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignant neoplasm in women, accounting for 25% of all cancers diagnosed [2]. It is estimated that 1.67 million cases of breast cancer are diagnosed worldwide each year [1]. In 2018, there were approximately 261,620 cases of breast cancer and 40,920 deaths from breast cancer in the United States [3].

The disease is associated with symptoms such as pain, chest stiffness, decreased range of motion, heaviness, and decreased quality of life [4]. Approximately, 10 to 20% of breast cancers are due to the lack of expression of biomarkers such as human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) [5]. Today, various methods of treatment are used, including hormone therapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, combinations, and mastectomy [6].

Radiation therapy (RT) is one of the safest methods with less side effects than other treatments used to treat breast cancer [7]. Studies have shown that radiotherapy after mastectomy (PMRT) reduces disease recurrence and mortality from breast cancer [8]. Clinically, in radiotherapy, the cellular response to radiation is affected by factors such as radiation dose, radiation sensitivity, tumor proliferation time, and hypoxia [9]. Therefore, selecting the total radiation dose, the number of rays and the total radiation time is necessary to improve the therapeutic outcome [10]. Increasing the radiation dose and reducing the toxic effects of radiation on the vital tissues and organs near cancerous tissue are the main goals of radiotherapy, which can be controlled due to the emergence of new technologies [11].

Today, two different methods are used for radiation therapy in patients with breast cancer, including Intensified Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Volumetric Arc Radiotherapy (VMAT) [12]. IMRT optimizes non-uniform radiation beams so that the beams are accurately distributed and a high dose of beams is focused on the cancerous area [13, 14]. Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) has also been proposed by Otto et al. which is an emerging treatment model that treats cancerous tissue in a safe manner through short-term dual-radiation distribution [15]. In VMAT type radiotherapy, the delivery time of the rays is faster and less monitor units are used and it has a higher dose distribution compared with IMRT [16]. IMRT also uses multiple beams with different angles that the intensity of each beam can be adjusted by using multi-leaf collimators (MLCs) to provide consistent doses [17]. In the IMRT method, the radiation dose compliance around the target tissue is improved by 3D-CRT, which minimizes the radiation toxicity to the tissues and organs around the cancerous tissue [18, 19]. VMAT has attracted the attention of therapists as a suitable treatment method due to its improved delivery efficiency compared with IMRT [17]. Although VMAT has been shown to perform better than IMRT, it has not been conclusively proven which method is preferable to the others [20, 21].

The aim of this study was to compare the two methods of IMRT and VMAT radiotherapy to determine which technique has highly conformal and better homogeneity of dose distributions, and thus potentially resulting in better target coverage and an improved cancer control by evaluating clinical and dosimetric outcomes for patients with left breast cancer.

Materials and Methods

Study design

In this comparative study, 8 patients with the left breast cancer underwent the radiation therapy by using IMRT and VMAT techniques. This study performed by using Electa Synergy linac in 2022, which includes 3 photon energies (6, 10, and 18 MV) and 8 electron energies (4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 18, and 22). The LINAC equipped with Multi-Leaf Collimator at Zhinawa Cancer Center. Patients with a mean age of 56 (range, 38-74) years old were selected for the study. All patients were staged according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer report in 2010, 6 of them were in stage III, and 2 patients were in stage II. Participants were immobilized by using chest board immobilization in supine position with arms above head. The parameters were as follows: the range from 6 cm above the clavicle to 8 cm below the tissue and breast with 3 mm thick slices, intravenous contrast is not necessary and the whole lung must be included as well as the chest wall, supraclavicular, and the lymph nodes were contoured in the CT scan.

Optima CT scanner

Optima CT 580 RT (general electric Healthcare -USA) 80 cm big bore CT-Scanner special for radiotherapy with flat RT couch. Optima 580 is a 16 slice scanner (it takes 16 slices in one gantry rotation) it can scan with (0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 mm) slice thickness and able to scan 4D-CT images, both helical and axial scan can be done with this scanner.

Monaco planning system

Monaco is a treatment planning system (TPS) software for radiotherapy produced by Elekta. It has ability to calculate 3D, IMRT, VMAT, SRS, and Brachytherapy plans with a high accuracy by using Monte Carlo algorithm (the most accurate dose calculation available).

The Monaco TPS in (ZCC) is version 5.00.02, works on a network of three main high performance computers (Quad-core Intel xeon 2.93GHz processor, 24GB DDR3 RAM, 4TB Storage) and connected with the center's main network.

VMAT and IMRT plans were generated by using a 6 MV photon beam, with the clinical Monaco Version 5.11.01 TPS. For all patients included in this study, a VMAT plan by using two arcs was calculated through Monte Carlo algorithm.

 

IMRT and VMAT

IMRT radiotherapy is an advanced method used to treat tumors in three dimensions with several intensities of oscillating radiation. In this method, the maximum dose is irradiated to the tumor tissue and the minimum dose of unwanted radiation is applied to the healthy tissues.

In this technique, each fear is divided into smaller parts and the intensity of each proto changes. With the advancement of computer technology, software development for design and delivery in IMRT has been facilitated. Therefore, in addition to the constant dose radiation to tumors, the lower doses are injected to the healthy tissues and they are protected. This method, which is an advanced method of radiotherapy, uses an advanced technology to manipulate photons and protons based on the tumor shape, to treat malignant and benign tumors. In other words, it uses several small photons and protons of different intensities to accurately irradiate the tumor. Therefore, the purpose of using this method is to achieve the desired dose along with maintaining healthy tissue and limiting the side effects of treatment. This method has also the ability to produce non-uniform doses that simultaneously deliver different doses to separate areas in the target tissue volume in each fraction. IMRT is delivered to the target tissue based on "reverse treatment design" and non-uniform irradiation to optimize dose distribution. Several fixed beams that increase treatment delivery time, patient comfort, reproducibility of the treatment position, and movement between wards are required for an IMRT design. With increasing treatment time, there is a concern that complications such as increased repair and the number of malignant cells and radiobiological consequences may occur.

VAMT radiotherapy is a type of IMRT which usually involves a beam and sometimes more that focuses the radiation on the cancer cells and reduces the irradiation time. In this method, the device moves in a circle around the patient's axis. This can reduce the risk of side effects by reducing the amount of radiation to the surrounding organs.

Intervention

In this study, 5 fields IMRT treatment planning and double arc VMAT treatment planning were used. At the beginning, after simulating the tomographic data of breast cancer patients, treatment planning was performed in the treatment planning system (TPS). TPS is planning software for radiotherapy and treatment of cancer patients, produced by Elekta, and has the ability to calculate three-dimensional designs, IMRT, and VMAT. Then, the clinical target volume (CTV) was determined by using the studied tissues and also the planned target volume (PTV). The VMAT and IMRT designs were generated by using the clinical version of Monaco version 5.11.01 TPS. IMRT beams with 7 fields in 7 different angles and VMAT beams were generated as one arc in a clockwise direction and another arc in a counter-clockwise direction. Finally, treatment programs Monte Carlo algorithms were performed and dosimetric analysis (minimum dose, maximum dose, mean dose, and PTV coverage were calculated by using dose volume histogram (DVH), while conformity index (CI) was evaluated by using the following formula:

The D2% represents the maximum dose that will be delivered to 2% of the PTV and D98% is the minimum dose calculated for the 98% of the PTV.

Dose homogeneity index (HI) was calculated based on the formula presented in the report of the 83rd International Association of Radiation Units (ICRU) for the target tissue according to the following equation:

HI=D2%- D98% Dp

The values of D2% and D98% for PTVs were obtained from DVH. The D2% represents the maximum dose that will be delivered to 2% of the PTV, Dp is the prescribed dose for PTV, and D98% is the minimum dose calculated for the 98% of the PTV.

Data analysis

All the parameters were calculated from the DVHs. The statistical analyses were carried out by using IBM SPSS Statistics version 23 (SPSS Inc. Armonk, NY.USA). An (independent student t-test) was performed to analyze the difference between three techniques, and p-value < 0.05 was considered to reveal statistical significance.

Results and Discussion

In this study, all dosimetric targets of PTV coverage were obtained with both techniques (IMRT and VMAT). Eight patients with the left breast cancer underwent the radiation therapy by using IMRT and VMAT techniques (Figure 1 and 2). Each of the IMRT and VMAT was used for each patient or 16 plans for all patients.

Table 1 summarized the PTV coverage results including Volume CC, Mean dose Gy, Ref. Volume percent, Ref. dose Gy, Ref. volume CC, HI (Homogeneity index), CI (Conformity index), Maximum dose (D2%), and Minimum dose (D98%).

The results demonstrated that the mean CI (1.162 ± 0.011) in IMRT was significantly lower than HI (1.173 ± 0.28) in VMAT (P ≤ 0.02), which indicates that IMRT technique is better than VMAT. Likewise, the mean HI (0.696 ± 0.333) in VMAT was significant compared with the mean HI (0.558 ± 0.288) (P≤0.04) and investigation of conformity index (CI) and homogeneity index (HI) indices in both techniques showed that IMRT indices relatively improved compared with VMAT in left breast cancer.

Planning target volume (PTV) was consistent with indicators and covered PTV value (97.563 ± 1.471) in IMRT and (96.677 ± 1.018) in VMAT, means that IMRT had a better PTV coverage. Mean dose to left breast was (42.118 ± 0464) prescribed dose. Ref vol CC, D2% and D98% was (736.898 ± 235.140), (4618.931 ± 107.658), and (3765.475 ± 71.195) which received, respectively.

The results showed that there was no significant difference in the mean maximum dose (D2%) between the two diagnostic methods IMRT and VMAT. However, there is a significant difference (P ≤ 0.03) between the mean minimum (D98%) IMRT (379.675 ± 72.943) and the mean VMAT (373.275 ± 57.585) which illustrate the mean minimum IMRT is lower.

Dose-volume histograms of all patients by using IMRT and VMAT are depicted in Figure 3. The results revealed that there were better HI and CI by using IMRT technique.

In this study, two methods of IMRT and VMAT were compared to find out which diagnostic method has a higher conformity index (CI), or homogeneity index (HI), as well as the investigation of conformity index (CI) and homogeneity index (HI) indices in both techniques showed that IMRT indices relatively improved compared with VMAT in the left breast cancer. Finally, it is expected that the betterment of these indicators by clinical evaluation and dosimetry of patients with the left breast cancer will lead to better therapeutic coverage and cancer control.

In radiotherapy, the goal is to deliver a sufficient dose to the tumor and the minimum possible dose to the nearby organs. Radiation therapy, along with the other treatments, can be a useful and effective adjunctive therapy [22]. Various studies have examined the effectiveness of various radiotherapy methods and have presented the positive results of this treatment method. IMRT and VMAT radiation therapy is one of the new methods of treating various types of cancers, which in most cases can prevent the growth of cancer cells. Also, the incidence of side effects is minimized [23].

The results showed that the PTV coverage, conformity index (CI) and homogeneity index (HI) were better in IMRT compared with VMAT which results in better cancer control. These results are consistent with the study of Yazdani et al. (2018) which showed that the IMRT compared with VMAT better cancer control [24]. In a study by Muhammad Isa Khan et al. (2016), there was no significant difference in IMRT compared with VMAT to cancer control [25], the results of which are not consistent with the present study. In the study of Rui Wang et al. (2022) with the title of dosimetry comparison between IMRT and VMAT in patients with the left breast cancer with modified radical mastectomy, [26]. Planning target volume (PTV) was consistent with indicators and covered, these results are consistent with the study.

The PTV coverage showed the minimum dose (D98%) in different studies. Different results have been obtained according to the working method and the examined organ. In NA Iacovelli et al.  (2020) study, as the role of IMRT and VMAT parameters in the 5-year survival rate of cancer patients [27], the minimum dose showed a significant difference between IMRT and VMAT and improved the treatment methods in IMRT compared with VMAT revealed that these results are consistent with the present study. In the by study conducted by C Ostheimer et al. (2016) [28], no difference in terms of IMRT and VMAT was observed in the treatment process, which does not agree with the present study, which indicated a significant difference.

Radiotherapy, including IMRT, damages DNA and stops cancer cells from dividing and growing, thus slowing or stopping tumor growth. In many cases, radiotherapy is able to kill all the cancer cells, thereby shrinking or destroying the tumors [29]. Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) is an advanced, high-precision radiotherapy technique that uses computer-controlled linear accelerators to deliver accurate doses of radiation to a malignant tumor or specific areas within the tumor. IMRT allows the radiation dose to be more accurately matched to the three-dimensional shape of the tumor by modulating or controlling the radiation intensity in several small volumes. IMRT also allows the higher doses of radiation to be concentrated on the tumor, while minimizing radiation to surrounding important natural structures [30, 31].

Due to the dose reduction of natural tissues with the IMRT approach, compared with the usual methods of radiotherapy, higher and more effective doses with fewer side effects reach the tumor. In addition, IMRT has the potential to reduce the treatment toxicity even if no dose is increased. Because of the complexity, IMRT requires slightly longer daily treatments, additional programs, and safety tests before starting treatment than with the conventional radiotherapy [32, 33].

The high incidence and long-term survival rate of breast cancer in women, the impact of radiotherapy exposure on the subsequent risk of heart disease and the development of the second primary breast cancer, make it an important issue. Both risks are dose-dependent. Finally, it has been shown that due to the positive effects of IMRT method in reducing the received dose, it can be concluded that it can be used as a suitable treatment method [34].

Conclusion

The IMRT method is one of the new cancer treatment techniques that, compared with other methods, with the aim of accurately targeting cancer cells and tumors, has the least effect on healthy tissues and reduces side effects as much as possible. Patients can benefit from the new treatment method and follow the cancer treatment process as easily as possible.

Limitations

Due to the studied small number of people, while more patients are examined in future through the cohort studies, more attention should be paid to the therapeutic effects and benefits of new treatment methods.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the parents of the patients who patiently helped in this research. Also, they would like to thank the Vice Chancellor for Research of University for the materials and spiritual support of this project.

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Authors' contributions

All authors contributed to data analysis, drafting, and revising of the paper and agreed to be responsible for all the aspects of this work.

 

Conflict of Interest

We have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Orcid

May Z. Saddik

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6888-949X

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE

May Z. Saddik, Fatiheea F. Hassan. Intensity Modulated Radiation and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapies in Breast Cancer. J. Med. Chem. Sci., 2023, 6(9) 1925-1934

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26655/JMCHEMSCI.2023.9.1

URL: http://www.jmchemsci.com/article_167624.html

[1]. Torre L.A., Bray F., Siegel R.L., Ferlay J., Lortet-Tieulent Je., Jemal A. Global Cancer Statistics, CA Cancer J Clin, 2015, 65:87 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[2]. Khalili Tanha G., Barzegar A., Shokrzadeh M., Nikbakhsh N., Ansari Z., Correlation between serum concentration of diazinon pesticide and breast cancer incidence in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran, Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences, 2020, 18:197 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[3]. Siegel R.L.., Miller K.D., Jemal A., Cancer statistics, 2018, CA Cancer J Clin, 2018, 68:7 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[4]. Shaitelman S.F., Cromwell K.D., Rasmussen J.C., Stout N.L., Armer J.M., Lasinski B.B., Cormier J.N., Recent progress in the treatment and prevention of cancer‐related lymphedema, CA: a cancer journal for clinicians, 2015, 65: 55 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[5]. Li C.H., Karantza V., Aktan G., Lala M., Current treatment landscape for patients with locally recurrent inoperable or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer: a systematic literature review, Breast Cancer Research, 2019, 21:143 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[6]. Marconi R., Serafini A., Giovanetti A., Bartoleschi C., Pardini M.C., Bossi G., Strigari L., Cytokine modulation in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy: A revision of the most recent studies, International journal of molecular sciences, 2019, 20:382 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[7]. Crook J., Ots A.F., Prognostic factors for newly diagnosed prostate cancer and their role in treatment selection. In Seminars in radiation oncology, WB Saunders, 2013, 165–172 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[8]. Liu L., Yang Y., Guo Q., Ren B., Peng Q., Zou L., Zhu Y., Tian Y., Comparing hypofractionated to conventional fractionated radiotherapy in postmastectomy breast cancer: a meta-analysis and systematic review, Radiation Oncology, 2020, 15:17 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[9]. Forker L.J., Choudhury A., Kiltie A.E., Biomarkers of tumour radiosensitivity and predicting benefit from radiotherapy, Clinical oncology, 2015, 27:561 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[10]. Garibaldi C., Jereczek-Fossa B.A., Marvaso G., Dicuonzo S., Rojas D.P., Cattani F., Starzyńska A., Ciardo D., Surgo A., Leonardi M.C., Ricotti R., Recent advances in radiation oncology, Ecancermedicalscience, 2017, 11:785 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[11]. Baskar R., Lee K.A., Yeo R., Yeoh K.W., Cancer and radiation therapy: current advances and future directions, International journal of medical sciences, 2012, 9:193 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[12]. Otto K., Volumetric modulated arc therapy: IMRT in a single gantry arc, Medical physics, 2008, 35:310 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[13]. Gupta T., Kannan S., Ghosh-Laskar S., Agarwal J.P., Systematic review and meta-analyses of intensity-modulated radiation therapy versus conventional two-dimensional and/or or three-dimensional radiotherapy in curative-intent management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, PloS one, 2018, 13:e0200137 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[14]. Lin Y., Chen K., Lu Z., Zhao L., Tao Y., Ouyang Y., Cao X., Intensity-modulated radiation therapy for definitive treatment of cervical cancer: a meta-analysis, Radiation Oncology, 2018, 13:177 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[15]. Bertelsen A., Hansen C.R., Johansen J., Brink C., Single arc volumetric modulated arc therapy of head and neck cancer, Radiotherapy and Oncology, 2010, 95:142 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[16]. Clivio A., Fogliata A., Franzetti-Pellanda A., Nicolini G., Vanetti E., Wyttenbach R., Cozzi L., Volumetric-modulated arc radiotherapy for carcinomas of the anal canal: A treatment planning comparison with fixed field IMRT, Radiotherapy and Oncology, 2009, 92:118 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[17]. Quan E.M., Li X., Li Y., Wang X., Kudchadker R.J., Johnson J.L., Kuban D.A., Lee A.K., Zhang X., A comprehensive comparison of IMRT and VMAT plan quality for prostate cancer treatment, International Journal of Radiation Oncology* Biology* Physics, 2012, 83:1169 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[18]. Cahlon O., Hunt M., Zelefsky M.J., Intensity-modulated radiation therapy: supportive data for prostate cancer, In Seminars in radiation oncology, WB Saunders, 2008, 18:48 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[19]. Abdulkareem N.K., Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) technique for left breast cancer by different numbers of beam fields, International Journal of Radiation Research, 2021, 19:167 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[20]. Vanetti E., Clivio A., Nicolini G., Fogliata A., Ghosh-Laskar S., Agarwal J.P., Upreti R.R., Budrukkar A., Murthy V., Deshpande D.D., Shrivastava S.K., Dinshaw K.A., Cozzi L., Volumetric modulated arc radiotherapy for carcinomas of the oro-pharynx, hypo-pharynx and larynx: a treatment planning comparison with fixed field IMRT, Radiotherapy and Oncology, 2009, 92:111 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[21]. Boylan C.J., Golby C., Rowbottom C.G., A VMAT planning solution for prostate patients using a commercial treatment planning system, Physics in Medicine & Biology, 2010, 55:N395 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[22]. Spencer W.H. Primary neoplasms of the optic nerve and its sheaths: clinical features and current concepts of pathogenetic mechanisms. Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc, 1972, 70:490 [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[23]. Mazloomi F., Abedi I., Shanei A., Amouheidari A., Evaluation of the Dose Gradient Index in Various Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy Techniques in Patients with Optic Nerve Sheath Meningioma, Journal of Isfahan Medical School, 2020, 37:1080 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[24]. Yazdani S., Yarahmdi M. Evaluation of dose distributions in PTV and organs at risk in left-sided breast cancer, treated by tangential wedged technique in Tohid radiotherapy center in Sanandaj. Scientific Journal of Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, 2017, 22:1 [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[25]. Khan M.I., Jiang R., Kiciak A., Ur Rehman J., Afzal M., Chow J.C.L., Dosimetric and radiobiological characterizations of prostate intensity-modulated radiotherapy and volumetric-modulated arc therapy: A single-institution review of ninety cases, Journal of Medical Physics/Association of Medical Physicists of India, 2016, 41:162 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[26]. Wang R., Shen J., Yan H., Gao X., Dong T., Li S., Wang P., Zhou J., Dosimetric comparison between intensity-modulated radiotherapy and volumetric-modulated arc therapy in patients of left-sided breast cancer treated with modified radical mastectomy: CONSORT, Medicine, 2022, 101:e28427 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[27]. Iacovelli N.A., Cicchetti A., Cavallo A., Alfieri S., Locati L., Ivaldi E., Ingargiola R., Romanello D.A., Bossi P., Cavalieri S., Tenconi C., Meroni S., Calareso G., Guzzo M., Piazza C., Licitra L., Pignoli E., Carlo F., Orlandi E., Role of IMRT/VMAT-Based dose and volume parameters in predicting 5-year local control and survival in nasopharyngeal cancer patients, Frontiers in oncology, 2020, 10:518110 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[28]. Ostheimer C., Hübsch P., Janich M., Gerlach R., Vordermark D., Dosimetric comparison of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in total scalp irradiation: a single institutional experience. Radiation oncology journal, 2016, 34:313 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[29]. Mondal D., Julka P.K., Sharma D.N., Laviraj M.A., Jana M., Kamal V.K., Deo S., Guleria R., Rath G.K., Dual partial arc volumetric-modulated arc therapy: The game changer for accelerated hypofractionated whole-breast radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated tumor cavity boost in early breast cancer-A comparative dosimetric study with single partial arc volumetric-modulated arc therapy, Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics, 2019, 15:1005 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[30]. Ezzell G.A., Galvin J.M., Low D., Palta J.R., Rosen I., Sharpe M.B., Xia P., Xiao Y., Xing L., Yu C.X., Guidance document on delivery, treatment planning, and clinical implementation of IMRT: report of the IMRT Subcommittee of the AAPM Radiation Therapy Committee, Medical physics, 2003, 30:2089 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[31]. Rossi M., Boman E., Kapanen M., Contralateral tissue sparing in lymph node-positive breast cancer radiotherapy with VMAT technique, Medical Dosimetry, 2019, 44:117 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[32]. Karpf D., Sakka M., Metzger M., Grabenbauer G.G., Left breast irradiation with tangential intensity modulated radiotherapy (t-IMRT) versus tangential volumetric modulated arc therapy (t-VMAT): trade-offs between secondary cancer induction risk and optimal target coverage. Radiation Oncology, 2019, 14:1 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[33]. Ramadan R., Vromans E., Anang DC., Goetschalckx I., Hoorelbeke D., Decrock E., Baatout S., Leybaert L., Aerts A., Connexin43 hemichannel targeting with TAT-Gap19 alleviates radiation-induced endothelial cell damage. Frontiers in pharmacology, 2020, 11:212 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]
[34]. Shiau A.C., Hsieh C.H., Tien H.J., Yeh H.P., Lin C.T., Shueng P.W., Wu L.J. Left-sided whole breast irradiation with hybrid-IMRT and helical tomotherapy dosimetric comparison, BioMed research international, 2014, 2014:741326 [Crossref], [Google Scholar], [Publisher]