Comparative evaluation of coplanar and non-coplanar vmat for nasopharynx cancer radiotherapy: Dosimetric and clinical implications.

Abstract

Author(s): K. El Ouardy, M. Zerfaoui, A. Rrhioua, Y. Oulhouq, D. Bakari, Lakbir El Hamidi

This task presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of two advanced radiotherapy techniques, coplanar Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (cVMAT) and non-coplanar Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (ncVMAT), for the treatment of nasopharynx cancer. A retrospective analysis was conducted on treatment plans for ten nasopharyngeal cancer patients who underwent radiotherapy using these techniques. The present study focused on dosimetric parameters, including dose distribution to target volumes and critical organs, and clinical implications of these techniques. The results revealed that, while both cVMAT and ncVMAT showed similar performance in terms of treatment plan quality and overall dose conformity, notable differences were observed in mean doses delivered to specific organs. The brainstem, inner ears, left eye, right parotid gland, and left humeral head exhibited significant variations in mean doses between the two techniques. These findings highlight the importance of patient-specific considerations when selecting the optimal radiotherapy approach for nasopharynx cancer patients. Clinicians should carefully assess individual patient characteristics and clinical priorities to make informed treatment decisions. This work proposes practical solutions and contributes to the ongoing discussions on the choice of VMAT techniques in radiotherapy for nasopharynx cancer.

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