BACKGROUND We developed, applied, and prospectively evaluated a novel deep-inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) screening and delivery technique to optimize cardiac sparing in left-breast radiotherapy (RT) at our clinic. The impact of set-up and dose variables upon organs at risk (OAR) dose in DIBH RT was investigated. METHODS AND MATERIALS All patients with left-breast cancer referred between 2011...

INTRODUCTION Despite technical advancements in breast radiation therapy, cardiac structures are still subject to significant levels of irradiation. As the use of adjuvant radiation therapy after breast-conserving surgery continues to improve survival for early breast cancer patients, the associated radiation-induced cardiac toxicities become increasingly relevant. Our primary aim was to evaluat...

Purpose: We describe here the implementation of a very simple approach of combining Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT) and the deep inspiration breath hold technique (DIBH) without any costly equipment, in order to reduce the dose at the heart and decrease the cardiotoxicity risk for left sided breast radiotherapy (RT). Methods and Materials: Forty nine patients were treated with the DIBH-VMAT techn...

Deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) is used for whole breast radiotherapy, as a means of providing better dose homogeneity. This can be achieved by lower doses to the organs at risk, less patient movement and better set up. Most patients offered DIBH treatment are left-sided breast cancer, or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) patients, due to the proximity of the heart to the chest wall so it is ...

Introduction: Breast cancer is becoming more frequently diagnosed at early stages with improved long-term outcomes. Radiation-related heart disease and lung cancer can occur following radiotherapy for breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate some dosimetric parameters of heart and lung during whole breast radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: Twenty...

The aim of this study is to evaluate the dosimetric impact of utilizing Active Breathing Control-moderate deep inspiration breath-hold (ABC-mDIBH) technique in early-stage left-sided breast cancer radiotherapy (RT). Twenty-five patients with left-sided early-stage breast cancer undergoing breast-conserving surgery referred to our department for adjuvant radiotherapy between October 2010 and Oct...

Background: Breast cancer is becoming more frequently diagnosed at early stages with improved long term outcomes. Radiation-related heart disease and lung cancer can occur following radiotherapy for breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate some dosimetric parameters of heart and lung during whole breast radiotherapy. Methods:Twenty five consecutive...

Deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) in left-sided breast cancer radiotherapy treatments allows for a reduction in cardiac and pulmonary doses without compromising target coverage. The selection of the most appropriate technology for DIBH monitoring is a crucial issue. We evaluated the stability and reproducibility of DIBHs controlled by a spirometric device, by assessing the variability of the ...

INTRODUCTION When irradiating the left breast, a small portion of the heart and left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) are often included in the treatment field. Deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) techniques reduce dose to coronary structures, but are resource intensive and may not be tolerated by all patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate a simple multi-leaf collimator (MLC) ...

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential dose reduction to the heart, left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery and the ipsilateral lung for patients treated with tangential and locoregional radiotherapy for left-sided breast cancer with enhanced inspiration gating (EIG) compared to free breathing (FB) using the AAA algorithm. The radiobiological implication of...