Analysis of Dosimetric Indices for Evaluating Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Plans of Head and Neck Cancer Patients

To characterize the radiation dose distribution in the target volume, various dosimetric indices are required which assist in making a choice of an optimum treatment plan. This study is primarily aimed at the analysis of various radiation dose indices essential for the evaluation of therapeutic plans by employing Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) on head and neck cancer patients. A group of 20 head and neck cancer patients, who were irradiated with 6MV beam form DHX Varianlinac, were brought into consideration. Their radiotherapy plans were designed using eclipse treatment planning software. Dosimetric indices like homogeneity, mDHI, rDHI, CI of the planning target volumes, were analyzed from the DVH of each patient. All the indices came within the limits as specified by RTOG; 1993 and OLIVER; 2007 except in few cases which might be due to complex geometry, extent of tumor volume and low radiation doses. This exploration can be extended to the calculation of other indices by using beams of higher energy and other treatment techniques on different target volumes of small extent and simple geometry. Research Article Analysis of Dosimetric Indices for Evaluating Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy Plans of Head and Neck Cancer Patients Qurat-ul-ain Shamsi1*, Maria Atiq1, Atia Atiq1, Saeed Ahmad Buzdar1 and Khalid Iqbal2 1The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan 2Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Center, Pakistan