Volumetric-modulated arc therapy vs c-IMRT in esophageal cancer: A treatment planning comparison

Figure 1 Dose distributions in a cervical esophageal cancer patient planed by conventional sliding window intensity-modulated radiotherapy (5 fields, 7 fields and 9 fields) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (1 arc and 2 arcs). IMRT: Intensity-modulated radiotherapy; VMAT: Volumetric modulated arc therapy; F: Coplanar field; A: Arc; Orange line: Planning target volume; Blue line: Spinal cord; Color wash areas: Receiving ≥ 100% of the dose (60 Gy).

Figure 2 Dose-volume histogram of organs at risk and planning target volume for volumetric-modulated arc therapy and conventional sliding window intensity-modulated radiotherapy in a lower thoracic esophageal cancer patient. Volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with double arcs (triangle) and conventional sliding window intensity-modulated radiotherapy (c-IMRT) with 7 fields (squares) and 5 fields (round). The planning target volume is shown in orange, the lungs in green (A), heart in red (B) and spinal cord in blue (C). F: Coplanar field; A: Arc; V_X: The percentage of organ receiving a dose > X Gy.