• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.167-171
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• 2007

In the case of radiotherapy following breast conservation therapy for breast cancer patients, the characteristic of skin dose was investigated in the treatment of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for breast cancer patients by comparing and analysing entrance skin dose irradiated during radiotherapy using tangential technique radiotherpy, and IMRT. The calculation dose irradiated to breast skin was compared with TLD measurement dose in treatment planning by performing the two methods of radiotherapy using tangential technique, and IMRT in treatment planning equipment. The skin absorbed dose was measured to pass a nipple by spacing of 1 cm distance from center to edge of body. In the radiotherapy of tangential technique, for the irradiation of 180 cGy to PTV, the calculation dose was ranged from 103.5 cGy to 155.2 cGy, measurement dose was ranged from 107.5 cGy to 156.2 cGy, and skin dose in the center was maximum 1.45 times more irradiated than that in the edge. In the IMRT, for the irradiation of 180 cGy to PTV, the calculation dose was ranged 9.8 cGy at 80.2 cGy, measurement dose was ranged 8.9 cGy at 77.2 cGy, and skin dose in the center was maximum 0.23 times less irradiated than that in the edge. IMRT was more effective for skin radiation risks because radiation dose irradiated to skin in IMRT was much less than that in radiotherapy of tangential field technique.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.7-12
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• 2007

In the radiation therapy for breast cancer patients, wedge shaped compensators are essentially used to achieve appropriate dose distribution because of thickness difference according to breast shapes. Tangential Irradiation technique has usually been applied to radiation therapy for breast cancer patients treated with breast conservative surgery. When a primary beam is incident on wedge shaped compensators from medial direction In tangential irradiation technique, low energy scattered radiation is generated and gives additional dose to the breast surface. As a method to reduced additional dose to breast surface, the use of virtual wedge shaped compensator is possible. Eclipse radiation treatment planning (RTP) systems Installed at our institution have virtual wedge shaped compensator for radiation therapy treatment planning. The dose distributions of 15, 30, 45, 60 degree physical wedges and virtual wedges were measured and compared. Results showed that there was no significant differences In symmetry of $10{\times}10$ field among various wedge angles. When the transmission factor was compared, transmission factor Increased linearly as the wedge angle Increased. These results Indicates that the appilcation of virtual wedge in clinical use is appropriate.