A model for predicting the dose to the parotid glands based on their relative overlapping with planning target volumes during helical radiotherapy.

The sparing of the parotid glands in the treatment of head and neck cancers is of clinical relevance as high doses to the salivary glands may result in xerostomia. Xerostomia is a major cause of decreased quality of life for head and neck patients. This paper explores the relationship between the overlap of the target volumes and their expansions with the parotid glands for helical delivery plans and their ability to be spared.

Treating benign optic nerve tumors with a 3-D conformal plan.

A 68 year old male patient presented for radiation therapy for treatment of a benign tumor, a glioma of his left optic nerve. The radiation oncologist intended to prescribe 52.2 Gy to the planning target volume, while maintaining a maximum of 54 Gy to the optic nerves and the optic chiasm and a maximum of 40-45 Gy to the globes in order to minimize the possibility of damaging the optic system, which is especially important as this is a benign tumor.

Helical tomotherapy and larynx sparing in advanced oropharyngeal carcinoma: a dosimetric study.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is gaining acceptance as a standard treatment technique for advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oropharynx. Dose to the uninvolved larynx and surrounding structures can pose a problem in patients with significant neck disease, potentially compromising laryngeal function and quality of life. Tomotherapy may allow greater laryngeal sparing.