Research Project
1. Simultaneous
integrated boost plan comparison between static-intensity modulated
radiotherapy and volumetric modulated arc therapy for prostatic fossa and lymph
node irradiation.
During the 3rd semester of the Master’s Program, it was a requirement that each student submits a research case study. Initially, I intended my research to be a case study but after getting encouraging results from the preliminary data, I decided to upgrade the research to publishable project.
In the delivery of simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) plans, the cumulative treatment fractionation is effectively reduced. However, the dose to the boost area is higher than normal in sequential treatments. Adjuvant radiation therapy is the preferred treatment for high-risk adenocarcinoma of the prostate after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. However, during radiation, non-involved tissue might receive a substantial amount of dose, leading to increased risk of developing secondary malignancy.
I was driven into undertaking this study due to lack of peer-reviewed journals that examine the dosimetric advantages between VMAT and step-and-shoot IMRT with regard to normal tissue integral dose in SIB delivered treatments for high-risk post-prostatectomy patients.
As my intention is to publish this research study in the Medical Dosimetry Journal, my work is still in progress …
2. Future Research Interests
In the future, I plan to carry out a research to establish the dosimetric advantages of “past-pointing” for arc beams. My interest is to investigate the effect of past-pointing on the field size, arc length and the impact on normal tissue dose.
During the 3rd semester of the Master’s Program, it was a requirement that each student submits a research case study. Initially, I intended my research to be a case study but after getting encouraging results from the preliminary data, I decided to upgrade the research to publishable project.
In the delivery of simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) plans, the cumulative treatment fractionation is effectively reduced. However, the dose to the boost area is higher than normal in sequential treatments. Adjuvant radiation therapy is the preferred treatment for high-risk adenocarcinoma of the prostate after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. However, during radiation, non-involved tissue might receive a substantial amount of dose, leading to increased risk of developing secondary malignancy.
I was driven into undertaking this study due to lack of peer-reviewed journals that examine the dosimetric advantages between VMAT and step-and-shoot IMRT with regard to normal tissue integral dose in SIB delivered treatments for high-risk post-prostatectomy patients.
As my intention is to publish this research study in the Medical Dosimetry Journal, my work is still in progress …
2. Future Research Interests
In the future, I plan to carry out a research to establish the dosimetric advantages of “past-pointing” for arc beams. My interest is to investigate the effect of past-pointing on the field size, arc length and the impact on normal tissue dose.
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