Intensity-modulated proton radiotherapy spares musculoskeletal structures in regional nodal irradiation for breast cancer: a dosimetric comparison.

Background And Purpose: Regional nodal irradiation (RNI) for breast cancer delivers radiation in proximity to the shoulder and torso, and radiation exposure may contribute to long-term upper extremity and postural morbidity. To date, no studies have assessed the differential dosimetric impact of proton versus photon radiation on shoulder and torso anatomy. This study examined clinically relevant musculoskeletal (MSK) structures and assessed the dose delivered with each modality.

Case study of a bolus helmet used to maintain optic chiasm and nerve sparing while improving target coverage using IMPT.

The purpose of this study was to examine if the use of a bolus helmet when treating the head with intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) will maintain organs at risk (OAR) sparing while improving the clinical target volume (CTV) coverage. A bolus helmet is a device that aims to improve on the traditionally used range shifter in proton therapy by improving dose distribution characteristics. Ten patients were retrospectively selected who had 2 separate treatment planning scans performed, a scan with the bolus helmet and a second scan without.