Dosimetric comparison of two dose expansion methods in intensity modulated radiotherapy for breast cancer

Background To explore the dosimetric difference between IMRT-VB plan based on the establishment of external expansion structure and virtual bolus (VB) and IMRT-SF based on the skin flash (SF) tool of the Eclipse treatment planning system in postoperative chest wall target intensity modulation radiotherapy plan of breast cancer. Methods Twenty patients with breast cancer were randomly selected as subjects to develop IMRT-VB plan based on virtual bolus and IMRT-SF plan based on skin flash tool of Eclipse treatment planning system. The planning target volume, monitor unit (MU) of every single treatment and the dosimetric parameters of organ at risk (OARs) were recorded. Paired t-test was used for normal distribution data while nonparametric paired Wilcoxon rank sum test was used for non-normal distribution data. Results Both IMRT-VB and IMRT-SF plan can expand outward to the chest wall skin and meet the dose requirements of clinical prescription. The conformal index, the homogeneity index, D 2% , D 98% and D 50% were significantly better in IMRT-SF plan than those in IMRT-VB plan ( P < 0.05). The average MU of the IMRT-SF plan was much higher than that of the IMRT-VB plan (866.0 ± 68.1 MU vs. 760.9 ± 50.4 MU, P < 0.05). In terms of organ at risk protection, IMRT-SF plan had more advantages in the protection of ipsilateral lung and spinal cord than IMRT-VB plan ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Our study indicated that IMRT-SF plan displayed clinical application superiority compared to IMRT-VB plan, and the operation steps of which are simpler and faster. Besides, IMRT-SF plan took advantages in achieve effective external expansion of skin dose intensity and OARs protection.