Purpose: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the impact of
abdominal aortic bifurcation on radiation therapy planning for pelvic cancers,
focusing on cervical cancer patients.
Background: Radiotherapy remains pivotal in the management of
cervical cancer, ensuring precise delineation of target volumes is imperative
to optimise treatment outcomes and minimise radiation-related toxicities.
Methods and Materials: Patients treated with radiotherapy for
pelvic malignancies between 2022 and 2024 were included. CT scans with contrast
were used for treatment planning, following standardised protocols. The level
of abdominal aortic bifurcation relative to vertebral landmarks was analysed.
Results: Among 40 patients, bifurcation occurred predominantly at
or above the L3–L4 intervertebral space (52.5%), anterior to L4 (25%), and at
L4–L5 (22.5%).
Conclusion: Our findings underscore the necessity of CT-based
planning to accurately target pelvic radiation fields. For facilities lacking
CT capabilities, adjusting the upper border of radiation portals above L3–L4 is
recommended for optimal cervical cancer treatment. The study underscores the
importance of adopting computed tomography-based planning protocols whenever
feasible, as they offer superior anatomical detail compared to conventional
X-ray-based planning, ultimately enhancing treatment precision and efficacy.
Author(s)
Details
Shiva Divya
Department of Radiation Oncology, Lakhimpur Cancer Centre, A Unit
of Government of Assam and Tata
Trusts Initiative, India.
Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/mmrnp/v2/1589
No comments:
Post a Comment