Quantitative Assessment of the Quality of Remote Irradiation Planning for Cancer Patients

Relationships between the index HI of dose homogeneity within the target and irradiation technique were obtained for patients with four types of cancer: cervical cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer. Homogeneity indexes HI were evaluated. The optimum irradiation techniques were selected for patients with each type of cancer taking account of the prognostic capabilities of the index HI for recurrence-free survival. These studies showed in particular that 3D-conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were suitable for treatment of cervical cancer. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy in the rotary mode (RapidArc) had advantages in lung cancer. The RapidArc technique was best in prostate cancer. The 3DCRT technique run on conventional accelerators was preferred in breast cancer.