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The impact of breast size on mean lung dose for patients receiving tangential radiotherapy to the whole breast

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 April 2016

Ashley Schembri ,
Susan Mercieca ,
Nick Courtier  and
Francis Zarb
Ashley Schembri
Affiliation:
Department of Radiography, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
Susan Mercieca
Affiliation:
Department of Radiography, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
Nick Courtier
Affiliation:
Department of Radiography, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
Francis Zarb*
Affiliation:
Department of Radiography, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
*
Correspondence to: Francis Zarb, Department of Radiography, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Msida, MSD 2090, Malta. Tel: 00356 2340 1833. E-mail: francis.zarb@um.edu.mt
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Abstract

Purpose

To explore the impact of breast size on mean lung dose (MLD) for patients receiving breast radiotherapy.

Methodology

Chest wall separation (CWS), volume of tissue receiving 95% isodose and MLD were measured on 80 radiotherapy treatment plans of patients receiving tangential radiotherapy treatment to the whole breast. Breast size was categorised as small (CWS<25 cm and planned target volume (PTV)<1,500 cm3) and large (CWS>25 cm and PTV>1500 cm3). Pearson’s correlation and independent sample t-test were used to analyse data.

Results

MLD was not affected by CWS (r=−0·13, p=0·24) nor volume of tissue receiving 95% isodose (r=−0·08, p=0·49). Significant variation between small and large breasts was noted for CWS (t=8·24, p=0·00) and volume of tissue receiving 95% isodose (t=5·68, p=0·00). No significant variation was noted between small and large breast for MLD (t=−0·26, p=0·80) and between left and right breasts for CWS (t=1·42, p=0·16) and volume of tissue receiving 95% isodose (t=−1·08, p=0·28). Significant difference between left (18–808 cGy) and right breast (325–365 cGy) was demonstrated for MLD (t=3·03, p=0·00).

Conclusion

This study demonstrated lack of correlation between breast size and MLD. Further research is recommended for justification of alternative techniques for this subgroup of patients to provide optimised radiotherapy delivery.

Keywords

breast sizemean lung doseseparationtangential whole breast radiotherapy
Type
Original Articles
Information
Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice , Volume 15 , Issue 2 , June 2016 , pp. 181 - 188
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Copyright
© Cambridge University Press 2016 

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