Consider The Radiation Dose To The Kidneys During Intensity Modulated Breast Cancer Treatment

Purpose: The kidneys are dose-limiting organs for radiotherapy (RT) in abdominal cancers, with variety between centres in guidelines for kidney tolerances. Kost et al. [1] demonstrated 5% of irradiated kidneys developed renal abnormalities after receiving 3–6 Gy in 15–30 fractions, independent of the volume irradiated. Quantec guidelines suggest a mean kidney dose of <18 Gy for an estimated risk of <5% [2]. Intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is sparingly used at Barts Cancer Centre (BCC) to treat selected breast cancer patients, due to a low dose delivered to a larger volume when compared with standard conformal CT planning. The kidneys have not routinely formed part of the organs at risk to be considered.