Volumetric modulated arc therapy: a review of current literature and clinical use in practice

Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is a novel radiation technique, which can achieve highly conformal dose distributions with improved target volume coverage and sparing of normal tissues compared with conventional radiotherapy techniques. VMAT also has the potential to offer additional advanta...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:British journal of radiology 2011-11, Vol.84 (1007), p.967-996
Main Authors: TEOH, M, CLARK, C. H, WOOD, K, WHITAKER, S, NISBET, A
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Breast Neoplasms - radiotherapy
Central Nervous System Neoplasms - radiotherapy
Digestive System Neoplasms - radiotherapy
Female
Genital Neoplasms, Female - radiotherapy
Head and Neck Neoplasms - radiotherapy
Humans
Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects)
Male
Medical sciences
Neoplasms - radiotherapy
Prostatic Neoplasms - radiotherapy
Radiotherapy Dosage
Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted - instrumentation
Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted - methods
Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated - instrumentation
Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated - methods
Review
Thoracic Neoplasms - radiotherapy
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Summary:Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) is a novel radiation technique, which can achieve highly conformal dose distributions with improved target volume coverage and sparing of normal tissues compared with conventional radiotherapy techniques. VMAT also has the potential to offer additional advantages, such as reduced treatment delivery time compared with conventional static field intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The clinical worldwide use of VMAT is increasing significantly. Currently the majority of published data on VMAT are limited to planning and feasibility studies, although there is emerging clinical outcome data in several tumour sites. This article aims to discuss the current use of VMAT techniques in practice and review the available data from planning and clinical outcome studies in various tumour sites including prostate, pelvis (lower gastrointestinal, gynaecological), head and neck, thoracic, central nervous system, breast and other tumour sites.
ISSN:0007-1285
1748-880X
DOI:10.1259/bjr/22373346