The quality assurance of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans for early stage prostate cancer: a technical note.

As radiation therapy transitions from intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) it is important to consider the quality assurance (QA) of VMAT plans in light of what has previously been learned and developed in IMRT QA. This technical note assesses if IMRT based plan QA software, which has reduced the need in IMRT for phantom dose measurements on the linear accelerator, can be incorporated into VMAT QA processes. Twenty prostate cases were retrospectively planned using VMAT with one arc to deliver a prescription of 74 Gy in 37 fractions.

Comparing four volumetric modulated arc therapy beam arrangements for the treatment of early-stage prostate cancer.

Introduction: This study compared four different volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) beam arrangements for the treatment of early-stage prostate cancer examining plan quality and the impact on a radiotherapy department's resources.

Methods: Twenty prostate cases were retrospectively planned using four VMAT beam arrangements (1) a partial arc (PA), (2) one arc (1A), (3) one arc plus a partial arc (1A + PA) and (4) two arcs (2A). The quality of the dose distributions generated were compared by examining the overall plan quality, the homogeneity and conformity to the planning target volume (PTV), the number of monitor units and the dose delivered to the organs at risk.

A retrospective planning analysis comparing intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) using two optimization algorithms for the treatment of early-stage prostate cancer.

Introduction: The primary aim of this study is to compare intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for the radical treatment of prostate cancer using version 10.0 (v10.0) of Varian Medical Systems, RapidArc radiation oncology system.

A Retrospective Planning Analysis Comparing Volumetric-Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) to Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) for Radiotherapy Treatment of Prostate Cancer.

Purpose: This study aims to compare intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) to volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for the treatment of prostate cancer. Particular focus was placed on the impact IMRT and VMAT have on departmental planning and treatment resources.

Materials And Methods: Twenty prostate cancer cases were retrospectively planned to compare 5-field IMRT to VMAT using a single arc (VMAT-1A) and 2 arcs (VMAT-2A).

An Introduction to the Intensity-modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) Techniques, Tomotherapy, and VMAT.

The goal of radiation therapy is to administer a therapeutic dose of radiation to a target while limiting the side effects caused by delivering the dose to surrounding tissues and vital organs. The ongoing pursuit to achieve an optimal dose distribution has prompted the radiation therapy profession to develop new techniques that incorporate advances in technology. In radiation therapy today, modern techniques that include three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) are routinely used in the treatment of cancers.

Assessment of personal qualities in selection of medical radiation science students.

Unlabelled: It is increasingly acknowledged that, in addition to prior academic achievement, there is a need to seek evidence for the abilities and personal qualities of applicants to health professional programs at a university. The aim of this study was to determine the specific abilities and personal qualities required for excellence in practice in the relevant professional domains of medical radiation science (MRS).

Methods: A focus group, consisting of MRS academic staff, developed a questionnaire.