Date Approved

8-1-2024

Graduate Degree Type

Project

Degree Name

Medical Dosimetry (M.S.)

Degree Program

Health Professions

First Advisor

Bethany Marshall

Second Advisor

Kristen Vu

Academic Year

2023/2024

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Minimizing radiation exposure to the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) is crucial during left-sided breast cancer radiation therapy to prevent cardiac complications. Dose calculation algorithms can significantly impact the estimated LAD dose. This study investigates the differences between the Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm (AAA) and Acuros XB (AXB) algorithms in LAD dose calculations.

Methods: Thirty patients treated with radiation therapy after breast-conserving surgery were included. Dosimetric data for LAD, including mean and maximum dose, was calculated using AAA and AXB algorithms. The results were compared using statistical analysis.

Results: Statistically significant reductions in mean LAD dose were observed when using AXB compared to AAA. On average, the mean LAD dose with AAA was between 0.084 and 0.864 Gy higher than with AXB after accounting for distance and energy. No significant difference was found between algorithms for the maximum LAD dose after accounting for distance and energy.

Conclusion: This study uncovers significant differences between AAA and AXB algorithms in LAD dose calculations. These findings underscore the crucial role of algorithm selection in research and treatment planning. They also highlight the urgent need for further investigations to assess the clinical implications of these differences and to refine OAR dose recommendations, emphasizing the importance of ongoing research in improving patient outcomes.

Keywords: Breast cancer, radiation therapy, LAD, dose calculation algorithms, AAA, AXB

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