The Impact of Anthropometric Measurements on Radiotherapy Planning for Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract Background: It was aimed to evaluate the differences and relationship between the anthropometric characteristics of the patients who received radiotherapy in our clinic after breast-conserving surgery due to breast cancer. Methods: A total of 40 patients underwent whole breast and lymph node irradiation after breast-conserving surgery were evaluated according to dosimetric parameters and ​anthropometric variables such as weight, mid-sternum thickness, Haller index, central lung distance (CLD) and breast volume. Results: In internal mammary node (IMN) irradiated patients, lung doses (V5, V10, V20, V30, minimum dose (Dmin) and maximum dose (Dmax)) and contralateral breast doses (Dmax and V5) were significantly higher than the patients not received IMN irradiation. Also, breast size shown to be an important factor; when small and large breast sized patients were compared, ipsilateral lung V10, V20, and V30 values and the Dmin of heart were higher in patients with large breast volume. The V5 value and Dmin of the total lung were higher in the group with a CLD value of 3 cm or less. The contralateral breast Dmax and V5 doses were higher in patients with midsternum thickness above 1.7. Conclusions: In the radiotherapy of breast cancer especially for the patients with nodal treatment volumes, differences in treatment designs could be made according to anthropometric variables. In the evaluation of radiotherapy treatment plans individual features like chest wall shape and breast size should be kept in mind.