Radiation therapy for deep periocular cancer treatments when protons are unavailable: is combining electrons and orthovoltage therapy beneficial?

Kevin Martell, Yannick Poirier, Tiezhi Zhang, Alana Hudson, David Spencer, Ferenc Jacso, Richard Hayashi, Robyn Banerjee, Rao Khan, Nathan Wolfe, Jon Paul Voroney

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Deep periocular cancers can be difficult to plan and treat with radiation, given the difficulties in apposing bolus to skin, and the proximity to the retina and other optic structures. We sought to compare the combination of electrons and orthovoltage therapy (OBE) with existing modalities for these lesions. Four cases-a retro-orbital melanoma (Case 1) and basal cell carcinomas, extending across the eyelid (Case 2) or along the medial canthus (Cases 3-4)-were selected for comparison. In each case, radiotherapy plans for electron only, 70% electron and 30% orthovoltage (OBE), volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT), conformal arc, and protons were compared. Dose-volume histograms for planning target volume coverage and selected organs at risk (OARs) were then calculated. The V90% coverage of the planning target volume was >98% for electrons, VMAT, conformal arc and proton plans and 90.2% and 89.5% in OBE plans for Cases 2 and 3, respectively. The retinal V80% was >98% in electron, VMAT and proton plans and 79.4%; and 87.1% in OBE and conformal arcs for Case 2 and 91.3%, 36.4%, 56.9%, 52.4% and 43.7% for Case 3 in electrons, OBE, VMAT, conformal arc and proton plans, respectively. Protons provided superior coverage, homogeneity and OAR sparing, compared with all other modalities. However, given its simplicity and widespread availability, OBE is a potential alternative treatment option for moderately deep lesions where bolus placement is difficult.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)593-603
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of radiation research
Volume59
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2018

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