Volumetric change of selected organs at risk during IMRT for oropharyngeal cancer

Francesco Ricchetti, Binbin Wu, Todd McNutt, John Wong, Arlene Forastiere, Shanthi Marur, Heather Starmer, Giuseppe Sanguineti

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: To assess volumetric changes of selected organs at risk (OAR) during intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for oropharyngeal carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Twenty-six consecutive patients that were treated with definitive IMRT ± chemotherapy between November 2007 and November 2008 were selected for the present study. As part of an internal quality assurances program, a repeat kilovolt (KV) computed tomography was planned weekly during the 7-week treatment course. On each available scan, a single observer contoured the parotid submandibular, and thyroid glands (PG/SMG/TG), larynx (L), and constrictor, masticatory, and sternocleidomastoid muscles (CM/MM/SCM) as appropriate. The volume at each scan was compared with the one at planning CT in a pair-wise fashion. p values <0.05 after correction for multiple testing were considered significant. Results: A total of 159 scans was obtained during treatment for a total of 185 scans, including the baseline imaging. All OARs showed statistically significant changes over baseline by week 5. At week 7, the PG showed the largest absolute change with an average reduction of ∼10 mL followed by both the SCM and MM (∼-5 mL). The largest (∼-30%) relative change was observed for the salivary glands. L and CM showed a ∼15% increase in volume during treatment. Conclusion: All selected OAR undergo significant volumetric changes during a course of IMRT for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)161-168
Number of pages8
JournalInternational Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics
Volume80
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2011

Keywords

  • IMRT
  • Oropharyngeal cancer
  • Volumetric change

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiation
  • Oncology
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
  • Cancer Research

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