Comparative dosimetric evaluation of three-dimensional conformal and stereotactic radiotherapy for treatment of intracranial tumors.

Aims: To evaluate the dosimetric profile among three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) for the treatment of intracranial tumors.

Materials And Methods: Seventeen patients with intra cranial tumors of benign nature or low malignant potential were enrolled and planned for SRT as well as 3D-CRT. Dosimetric comparison between these two plans was done considering the following parameters: Target coverage, conformity index, and heterogeneity index.

Results: The dosimetric parameters of the 3D-CRT plans were a little inferior compared with those for the SRT plans. The difference between mean target coverage, mean conformity index and mean heterogeneity index for 3D-CRT and SRT plans was highly significant at P < 0.001 (t = 7.74), P < 0.001 (t = 5.52), and P < 0.01 (t = 3.15) respectively.

Conclusion: SRT is a very efficient treatment option for intracranial tumors, in view of better target coverage and conformality compared with 3D-CRT.