Feasibility study of using low-energy intensity modulated radiation for the treatment of localized prostate carcinoma to high doses

High-energy photon beams (>10 MV X-rays) are traditionally used for the treatment of prostate cancer to doses in excess of 70 Gy. This requires the availability of a high-energy accelerator. With the recent development of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), it has become possible to design conformal plans that significantly reduce the dose to the surrounding normal tissues. In this study the authors have investigated the feasibility of using 6 MV IMRT beams for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. The study confirms that the use of the conventional low-energy X-rays should be avoided in the high dose prostate treatment. However, the dose distributions and DVHs with 6 MV X-rays using IMRT techniques were quite acceptable and comparable to those with 15 MV X-rays in the 81 Gy treatment, despite a/spl sim/18% increase in the number of monitor units.