Virtual simulation in patients with breast cancer

Background: Investigation of the feasibility and effectiveness of virtual s imulation in patients receiving radiotherapy of the breast. Methods: Twenty-three patients were included in the study. All of them unde rwent a course of postoperative tangential breast irradiation. The patients were prospectively randomised into two groups. Group A patients (n = 11) r eceived a conventional computed tomography based treatment planning, group B patients (n = 12) a virtual simulation. The results of both treatment pla nning procedures were compared. Results: The treatment planning was feasible in all patients. The time expe nditure could be reduced from a median of 45.0 to 16.5 min and from 55.0 to 32.0 min for the technician and physician, respectively, using virtual sim ulation. Furthermore the treatment planning for the patient could be reduce d from a median of 45.0 min in two sessions to 16.5 min in one session. The image quality of the digital reconstructed radiographs was satisfying comp ared to the simulation films. The incidence and extension of set-up correct ions for the patients at the first treatment were comparable in both groups . The time interval between the planning CT and the first treatment could b e reduced by 31% using virtual simulation due to the omission of the conven tional simulation. Conclusion: The virtual simulation is a feasible tool for the treatment pla nning of patients undergoing tangential irradiation of the breast. Compared with the conventional simulation procedure virtual simulation is superior regarding to the precision of patients marking, the quality of the referenc e images and, the rime expenditure for the patients and medical staff. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.