Comparative dosimetric evaluation of three-dimensional conformal and stereotactic radiotherapy for treatment of intracranial tumors.

AIMS To evaluate the dosimetric profile among three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) for the treatment of intracranial tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventeen patients with intra cranial tumors of benign nature or low malignant potential were enrolled and planned for SRT as well as 3D-CRT. Dosimetric comparison between these two plans was done considering the following parameters: Target coverage, conformity index, and heterogeneity index. RESULTS The dosimetric parameters of the 3D-CRT plans were a little inferior compared with those for the SRT plans. The difference between mean target coverage, mean conformity index and mean heterogeneity index for 3D-CRT and SRT plans was highly significant at P < 0.001 (t = 7.74), P < 0.001 (t = 5.52), and P < 0.01 (t = 3.15) respectively. CONCLUSION SRT is a very efficient treatment option for intracranial tumors, in view of better target coverage and conformality compared with 3D-CRT.