This study evaluated whether helical tomotherapy (TOMO) planning could achieve better isodose distribution for the maxillary sinus while concomitantly sparing the adjacent ­critical normal organs than linac-based step-and-shoot IMRT (s-IMRT) planning. TOMO and s-IMRT were established for 10 patients with maxillary sinus cancer. The prescription (66 Gy, 30 fractions) was used to cover the planning target volume (PTV) with a 95% isodose line. Each plan was independently optimized using the CORVUS planning system and Tomotherapy Hi-Art system. The treatment plans were compared using dose volume histogram (DVH), a dose homogeneity index (DHI) of the PTV, and equivalent uniform dose (EUD) and DVH of organs at risk (OARs). The TOMO plans demonstrated better dose homogeneity compared to the s-IMRT plans. The average V95% of the TOMO plans was similar to that of the s-IMRT (92.92% vs. 95.07%, respectively), but the average V107% was 0% for TOMO compared with 18.74% for s-IMRT. The average maximum dose reduction was 7 Gy, and DHI increased by 8% for PTV1 in TOMO compared with s-IMRT (79 Gy vs. 71 Gy and, 89% vs. 97%, respectively). The average EUD reduction for the optic nerve was 17%. In summary, planning with TOMO was superior to s-IMRT planning with respect to dose homogeneity within the PTV and sparing of the optic nerve.

Key words: Maxillary sinus cancer; Tomotherapy; Dosimetric comparison.