Reduction of the skin‑effect dose of IMRT plan for patients with cancer in pelvic region.

In the present study, it was aimed to investigate the optimized plan of radiotherapy with dose modulation in the pelvis to reduce the dose on the skin in patients having pelvic region radiotherapy. The series of images of 45 pelvic cancer patients were selected, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plan was made, the skin dose reduction was optimized, and evaluated verifying the plan verification. As a result, skin volume receiving dose ≥10, ≥20, ≥30, ≥40 and ≥50 Gy of the IMRT Skin plan were all less than those of the IMRT plan. Particularly, skin volumes receiving doses ≥20, ≥30, ≥40 and ≥50 Gy of the Skin IMRT plan were markedly lower than those of the IMRT plan, the reduction values were 8.76, 18.83, 46.84 and 100%, respectively. Furthermore, the Skin IMRT plan was no longer affected by the 50 Gy dose. In conclusion, the present study revealed that the skin's dose can be decreased with optimal plan processing; thus, this decrease of the skin's dose ensures the continuation of radiotherapy and improved life quality of the patient.