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Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy and Volumetric-Modulated Arc Therapy

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Radiation Therapy Techniques for Gynecological Cancers

Part of the book series: Practical Guides in Radiation Oncology ((PGRO))

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Abstract

Due to its dosimetric superiority relative to traditional techniques, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has become increasingly common in the management of gynecologic malignancies. The increased conformality of the dose distribution delivered via IMRT permits the delivery of an effective dose to irregularly shaped targets while simultaneously sparing nearby organs-at-risk. Volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is a related technique that can achieve similar dose distributions with shorter delivery times. In gynecologic malignancies, IMRT conveys benefits including improved dosimetry to the intestines, bladder, and bone marrow, dose escalation to gross disease, and the potential to extend treatment volumes into the para-aortic region. The benefits of IMRT presuppose great care in the development and execution of an institutional IMRT program involving physicians, physicists, and dosimetrists working effectively together. This chapter explores IMRT-specific considerations in contouring, management of motion, plan evaluation, and quality assurance in order to assist management of endometrial, vulvar, vaginal, and cervical cancers in both postsurgical and intact settings.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    O. Lee Burnett III

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Xun Jia

  3. Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford Comprehensive Cancer Center, Stanford, CA, USA

    Elizabeth A. Kidd

  4. Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Ann H. Klopp

Authors
  1. O. Lee Burnett III
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  2. Xun Jia
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  3. Elizabeth A. Kidd
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  4. Ann H. Klopp
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to O. Lee Burnett III .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA

    Kevin Albuquerque

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

    Sushil Beriwal

  3. Department of Radiation Oncology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Akila N. Viswanathan

  4. Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    Beth Erickson

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Lee Burnett, O., Jia, X., Kidd, E.A., Klopp, A.H. (2019). Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy and Volumetric-Modulated Arc Therapy. In: Albuquerque, K., Beriwal, S., Viswanathan, A., Erickson, B. (eds) Radiation Therapy Techniques for Gynecological Cancers. Practical Guides in Radiation Oncology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01443-8_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-01443-8_6

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-01442-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-01443-8

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