[Potential indications for helical tomotherapy in breast cancers].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the dosimetric gain obtained in either the planning target volume or organs at risk coverage by the use of intensity-modulated radiation therapy in some particular postoperative breast cancers.

PATIENTS AND METHOD: Prospective dosimetric comparison between monoisocentric conformal radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy in nine patient files.

RESULTS

Using intensity-modulated radiation therapy was shown to improve in each case, at least one conformity, homogeneity, and coverage index either for planning target volumes or for organs at risk. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy was therefore always chosen rather than conformal monoisocentric radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Indications to retain intensity-modulated radiation therapy would consist of bilateral lesions, pectus excavatum, past thoracic irradiation (Hodgkin's disease) and complex volumes in obese or overweight patients.