AIM OF STUDY : To compare the various planning techniques in irradiation of whole breast.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Twenty patients with early breast cancers treated with conservative breast surgery were included in the study and various planning techniques were applied i.e conventional standard tangential plan, 3D conformal therapy, Intensity modulated radiotherapy(IMRT)  using 5 beams and 11 beams were analysed for each patient and the various aspects in planning like dose homogeneity, planning target volume coverage, dose volume histograms for organs at risk were studied in detail.

 CONCLUSION:

IMRT significantly improved the conformity and homogeneity for the breast  when compared to other techniques. Heart and lung volume receiving high doses were decreased, but more healthy tissues received low doses. However it remains to be seen whether the dosimetric improvements achievable with IMRT will lead to significant clinical outcome.