• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.131-141
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• 2007

Purpose: Try to compare dose distribution and lung dose of radiation treatment plan of the breast cancer that used Irregular Surface Compensator (ISC) and treatment plan that used a wedge filter. Materials and Methods: Established a treatment plan to be distributed over 95% of prescription dose (5,040 cGy) of the two tangent-half fields that used a wedge filter and ISC at a breast organization as made to breast cancer patient having an irregular surfaces after surgery. Compared high dose area and DVH, and verified a treatment plan as used film with rectangular phantom. Results: Maximum dose point in breast tissue appeared to 107.5% in case of tangent-half fields Tx plan that used a wedge filter, and lung volumes exposed above 20 Gy by 7.63%. In case of ISC, maximum dose point in breast tissue appeared to 106.4%, and lung volumes exposed above 20 Gy by 6.5%. The film measurement results that used phantom, 105$\sim$110% high dose region was distributed to the upper part and both edges of phantom. However in case of ISC, appeared by 100$\sim$105% dose conformity distribution. Conclusion: In general, the Irregular Surface Compensator (ISC) can improve the dose conformity of breast tissues, as well as reduced hot spots in the lung and in the breast. Such an advantage by using ISC technique is more beneficial for patients who have more irregular surfaces after surgery.