Evaluation of different planning methods of 3DCRT, IMRT, and RapidArc for localized prostate cancer patients: planning and dosimetric study

Background Different planning methods of IMRT planning techniques (IMRT (DMLC) and RapidArc) vs. stander techniques (three-dimensional radiation therapy (3DCRT)) will be evaluated for prostate cancer patients’ planning and verification. Three groups of localized prostate cancer patients are planned and evaluated regarding DVHs and practical radiation dosimetry, and ten 3DCRT plans are assessed statistically for each patient. Results Plan (7) with parameters of five equally weighted fields with angles of 0°, 45°, 90°, 270°, and 315° and energy of 15MV is the most suitable plan both for PTV coverage and for OAR sparing with a fewer number of fields and fewer number of gantry angles. IMRT complexity involves the requirement of long treatment times and additional effort for planning, safety checks, and quality control before the patient start the treatment and proceed. Conclusions The selected plan also is more safe on patients up to 7400 cGy than other plans and is easier to be applied compared to IMRT and RapidArc plans, depending on patient geometry. IMRT radiation doses are more effective and can safely be delivered to PTV with little side effects compared with 3D conformal and conventional techniques. RapidArc has the advantage of re-optimizing and small arcs of variable parameters in dose delivery, taking into account the maximum speed of gantry and MLCs.