Helical tomotherapy for advanced esophageal cancer improves target conformity and homogeneity: A comparison with fixed-field intensity-modulated radiotherapy

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of helical tomotherapy (HT) in the treatment of advanced esophageal cancer (EC) and compare target homogeneity, conformity and normal tissue doses between HT and fixed-field intensity-modulated radiotherapy (ff-IMRT). Methods: In all, 23 patients with cT3-4N0-1M0-1a thoracic EC (upper esophagus, 9 patients; middle esophagus, 6; distal esophagus, 6 and esophagogastric junction, 2) who were treated with ff-IMRT (60 Gy in 30 fractions) were re-planned for HT and ff-IMRT with the same clinical require?ments. Comparisons were performed using the Wilcoxon matched-pair signed-rank test. Results: Compared with ff-IMRT, HT significantly reduced the homogeneity index for thoracic, upper, middle and distal ECs by 38%, 31%, 36% and 33%, respectively (P < 0.05). The conformity index was increased by HT for thoracic, upper and middle ECs by 9%, 9% and 18%, respectively (P < 0.05). Target coverage was improved by 1% with HT (P < 0.05). The mean lung dose was significantly reduced by HT for thoracic and upper ECs (P < 0.05). The V20 (volume receiving at least 20 Gy) and higher dose volumes of the lungs were decreased by HT in all cases, but the differences were significant for thoracic, upper and distal ECs (P < 0.05), with reductions of 2.1%, 3.1% and 2.2%, respectively. HT resulted in a larger lung V5 for thoracic, upper, middle and distal ECs, with increases of 3.5%, 1.5%, 7.2% and 3.2%, respectively. Heart sparing was significantly better with HT than with ff-IMRT in terms of the V30 and V40 for thoracic, upper, middle and distal ECs (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Compared to ff-IMRT, HT provides superior target coverage, conformity and homogeneity, with reduced the volume of high doses to the lungs and heart for advanced EC. HT may be a treatment option for advanced EC, especially upper EC.