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PURPOSE: Brachytherapy (BT) has been used for many years for disease control in tumours of the head and neck area (H&N). It is currently performed with high dose rate (HDR) or pulsed dose rate (PDR), but its use has been reduced due to the implementation of new non-invasive external beam radiotherapy techniques such as intensity modulation (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and the improvement of surgical techniques. METHODS: The Spanish Brachytherapy Group (GEB) has carried out a survey to find out the number of centres in Spain that continue to use BT in H&N and its indications and expectations for the future. RESULTS: The results were presented at the XX GEB Consensus Meeting held on October 21, 2022, in Valencia (Spain) and it was confirmed that, although there are fewer and fewer centres that use BT in H&N, there are still units with extensive experience in this technique that should be positioned as referral centres. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to carry out continuous work with other specialities involved, such as H&N surgeons, and other radiation oncologists, to improve the training of residents, both oncologists and medical physicists.
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Braquiterapia , Radioterapia de Intensidad Modulada , Humanos , Braquiterapia/métodos , España , Radioterapia de Intensidad Modulada/métodos , Cuello , Planificación de la Radioterapia Asistida por Computador/métodos , Dosificación RadioterapéuticaRESUMEN
The present document includes consensus-based recommendations from the Brachytherapy Group (GEB) of the Spanish Society of Radiation Oncology (SEOR) and the Spanish Society of Medical Physics (SEFM) for interstitial high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT) for gynaecologic malignancies. A nine-item survey-which included questions on experience with interstitial BT; indications and technique; applicator type; magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based planning; dose; fractionation schedule; and treatment planning-was sent to all radiation oncology departments (n = 174) in Spain in 2021. Responses were received from 36 centres (50% of all centres [n = 72] with a BT unit). The consensus-based recommendations presented here are based on a review of the available literature, professional experience among the group of experts, and in-person discussions held during the annual meeting of these two societies. We describe the results of the survey and the following: indications; contraindications; patient selection; description of applicators; role of imaging in planning; contouring; dose prescription; dosimetric reconstruction; optimisation; and dose indications for cancers of the cervix, vagina, and vulva. The various clinical scenarios in which interstitial BT is used in the treatment of gynaecological tumours are described in detail, including cervix intracavitary/interstitial hybrid HDR-BT; cervix perineal templates/freehand implants; primary vaginal malignancies/vaginal recurrences; and vulvar interstitial implants.
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Braquiterapia , Neoplasias de los Genitales Femeninos , Oncología por Radiación , Neoplasias del Cuello Uterino , Neoplasias Vaginales , Femenino , Humanos , Neoplasias de los Genitales Femeninos/radioterapia , Braquiterapia/métodos , Dosificación Radioterapéutica , Física , Planificación de la Radioterapia Asistida por Computador/métodosRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most prevalent neoplasm among men in the world. Its treatment has a wide spectrum of alternatives and variables, ranging from active surveillance through radio and/or brachytherapy, to surgery. OBJECTIVE: The present work aimed to identify the predictive factors for biochemical recurrence and to evaluate the toxicity of the treatment using the association of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) with high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) applied in the treatment of patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: Longitudinal retrospective study, using a prospectively collected database between 2005 and 2014 of 186 consecutive patients records with a diagnosis of low, intermediate, or high-risk prostate cancer treated with EBRT combined with HDR-BT, in a single medical institution located in the city of Campinas, SP, Brazil (Radium Institute). PSA increase over 2 ng/ml above the nadir PSA was considered as biochemical recurrence, following the definition of the Phoenix Consensus. Continuous and clinically relevant categorical variables (age, initial PSA, delivered dose in EBRT, number of implants, number of positive cores in transrectal biopsy, use of hormone blockade, Gleason score, TNM staging, post treatment PSA and PSA Nadir) were evaluated with absolute (n) and percentage (%) values using multiple logistic regression and validated our previously described optimal PSA nadir as predictor of biochemical recurrence. RESULTS: Post treatment PSA was the only independent predictor of biochemical recurrence, P<0.0001. The lower the PSA nadir the lower the biochemical recurrence risk (P=0.0009). PSA nadir >1 was the best cutoff (P=0.018) determinant of biochemical recurrence. The incidence of grade 3 late toxicity to the genitourinary tract was 0.6%, and there were no cases of severe complications to the gastrointestinal tract. CONCLUSION: External Beam Radiation Therapy conjugated to Brachytherapy in the treatment of Prostate Cancer has demonstrated low biochemical recurrence rates, mainly when PSA nadir <1, with low toxicity into both GU and GI tracts.
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BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy as an adjuvant therapy to surgical resection has shown variable rates of recurrence treating earlobe keloids. The purpose of this study was to describe our experience with surgical excision followed by high-dose-rate brachytherapy and present our outcomes after 24 months of follow-up. METHODS: Retrospective chart of 14 patients with 14 earlobe keloids treated with surgical excision followed by high-dose-rate brachytherapy, between January 2015 and May 2016 were enrolled. Database included demographics, Fitzpatrick skin type, laterality, lesion size, and follow-up visits information. Outcomes were assessed in terms of keloid recurrence rates, complications, and patient subjective aesthetical result satisfaction after 24 months of follow-up. RESULTS: All procedures were completed without complications. Three patients experienced keloid recurrence after 6 (14.28%) and 12 months (7.14%). Three patients experienced mild signs of self-limited post-radiation dermatitis. Self-assessment of aesthetical result was considered "very good" in 71.43% of patients. CONCLUSION: Surgical excision followed by high-dose-rate brachytherapy is secure and effective to treat earlobe keloids, and can be considered a first line combined treatment. Larger clinical trials comparing different irradiation protocols are still needed.
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BACKGROUND: Pelvic recurrences from previously irradiated gynecological cancer lack solid evidence for recommendation on salvage. METHODS: A total of 58 patients were included in this clinical analysis. Salvage surgery was performed for locoregional relapse within previously irradiated pelvic area after initial surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy or radical external beam radiotherapy. The primary tumor diagnosis included cervical cancer (n = 47, 81%), uterine cancer (n = 4, 7%), and other types (n = 7, 12%). Thirty-three patients received adjuvant IOERT (1984-2000) at a median dose of 15 Gy (range 10-20 Gy) and 25 patients received adjuvant PHDRB (2001-2016) at a median dose of 32 Gy (range 24-40 Gy) in 6, 8, or 10 b.i.d. fractions. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 5.6 years (range 0.5-14.2 years). Twenty-nine (50.0%) patients had positive surgical margins. Grade ≥ 3 toxic events were recorded in 34 (58.6%) patients. The local control rate at 2 years was 51% and remained stable up to 14 years. Disease-free survival rates at 2, 5, and 10 years were 17.2, 15.5, and 15.5%, respectively. Overall survival rates at 2, 5, and 10 years were 58.1, 17.8, and 17.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: IOERT and PHDRB account for an effective salvage in oligorecurrent gynecological tumors. Patients with previous pelvic radiation suitable for salvage surgery and at risk of inadequate margins could benefit from adjuvant reirradiation in form of IOERT or PHDRB. However, the rate of severe grade ≥ 3 toxicity associated with the entire treatment program is relevant and needs to be closely counterbalanced against the expected therapeutic gain.
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Braquiterapia , Electrones/uso terapéutico , Neoplasias de los Genitales Femeninos/radioterapia , Recurrencia Local de Neoplasia/radioterapia , Reirradiación/métodos , Terapia Recuperativa/métodos , Adulto , Anciano , Braquiterapia/efectos adversos , Supervivencia sin Enfermedad , Electrones/efectos adversos , Femenino , Neoplasias de los Genitales Femeninos/mortalidad , Neoplasias de los Genitales Femeninos/cirugía , Humanos , Cuidados Intraoperatorios , Márgenes de Escisión , Persona de Mediana Edad , Recurrencia Local de Neoplasia/mortalidad , Recurrencia Local de Neoplasia/cirugía , Dosificación Radioterapéutica , Radioterapia Adyuvante/efectos adversos , Radioterapia Adyuvante/métodos , Reirradiación/efectos adversos , Terapia Recuperativa/efectos adversos , Tasa de Supervivencia , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
PURPOSE: Technological advances with commercial production of surface applicators allowed high-dose-rate (HDR) afterloading brachytherapy to overpass challenges associated with the delivery of superficial radiation when treating non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). We reviewed our single institutional experience using HDR to treat basal (BCC) and squamous cell (SCC) carcinomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients treated with HDR and Leipzig-style applicators for NMSC at the Radiation Oncology Department, AC Camargo Cancer Center, from March 2013 to December 2018 was performed. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients with 101 lesions (BCCs, 69.3% or n = 70) and median age 80 (range, 51-102) years old were evaluated. The median follow-up was 42.8 (range, 12-82) months. The 3-year and 5-year actuarial local control (LC) rates were 97.9% and 87.2%, respectively. On univariate analysis, treatments with EQD2 less than 50 Gy (p < 0.001) and dose per fraction smaller than 3 Gy (p < 0.001) were found to be statistically significant predictive factors of a worse outcome. On multivariate analysis, SCC had a worse prognosis over BCC (p = 0.007, HR = 2.3, CI: 1.2-6.6). All patients developed some degree of acute side effects graded 1 to 2. Grade 3 acute side effects were observed in 9 (8.9%) patients. Moreover, severe late side effects (grade 3), hypopigmentation, and telangiectasia were observed in 4 (3.9%) patients. No grade 4 acute or late side effects were seen in this cohort. CONCLUSIONS: HDR offers a convenient treatment schedule for patients and is associated with excellent LC. The most effective regimen, in terms of dose and fractionation, to treat superficial NMSC with HDR remains uncertain, but a moderate minimum EQD2 dose of 50 Gy should be used.
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OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that superficial high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy by means of Leipzig applicators or moulds with catheters is an adjuvant treatment with impact on local control and low toxicity. BACKGROUND: Keloid scars occur in 5-15 % of cases, secondary to an uncontrolled proliferation of fibroblasts and reduction in the inhibition of growth factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective, longitudinal and descriptive study in patients with keloid scars who were treated with superficial HDR brachytherapy in the General Hospital of Mexico between November 2009 and December 2013. RESULTS: Eighty patients were evaluated, and the mean follow-up was 22.18 months (range 8-48). The anatomic site treated was the ear in 72 patients (90.0 %), anterior thorax in 5 patients, retroauricular region in 2, and abdomen region in 1 patient. The application was performed 24 h after surgery; the dose for 79 patients (99 %) was 1500 cGy/3 fractions, and 1 received 500 cGy in 1 fraction. Adequate healing occurred in 76 patients (95 %), and the local failure was 5 % (95 % CI). Acute toxicity occurred in 15 % (12 patients) with grade 1 radioepithelitis. Chronic toxicity occurred in 22 patients (27.5 %) with grade 1 hypopigmentation and 18 patients (22.5 %) with grade 1 fibrosis. The cosmetic result was good in 72 patients (90 %). During follow-up, 2 patients presented recurrence, and 2 patients persisted. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with superficial brachytherapy in keloid scars using a mould with catheters or a Leipzig applicator is a therapeutic option that results in 95 % local control and low toxicity.
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Brachytherapy as a form of treatment for gynecological tumors has been used for a long time in Brazil (since 1991) and can be considered as a form of radiotherapy treatment. High Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy aims at delivering high dose rates of radiation in restricted volumes of the body, thereby increasing disease control and lower treatment toxicity for adjacent normal tissues. Cervical cancer (CC) is a disease that still affects women in developing countries and, despite being detected by laboratory and imaging tests, in many developing countries these techniques are not yet accessible to all that are affected by cervical cancer. HDR presents important results when isolated or in association with other treatment techniques. Numerous studies have shown that HDR for gynecological cancer presents results that can reach up to 85% cure, and with this it is concluded that there are few complications during or after treatment, since adjacent tissues are preserved, making HDR a safe procedure for patients and professionals.
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Humanos , Femenino , Radioterapia , Braquiterapia , Literatura de Revisión como Asunto , Neoplasias del Cuello Uterino , Neoplasias Endometriales , Neoplasias de los Genitales FemeninosRESUMEN
PURPOSE: High-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) alone is an adjuvant treatment option for stage I intermediaterisk endometrial cancer after complete surgical resection. The aim of this study was to determine the value of the dose reported to ICRU bladder point in predicting acute urinary toxicity. Oncologic results are also presented. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred twenty-six patients were treated with postoperative HDR-BT 24 Gy (4 × 6 Gy) per ICRU guidelines for dose reporting. Cox analysis was used to identify variables that affected local control. The mean bladder point dose was examined for its ability to predict acute urinary toxicity. RESULTS: Two patients (1.6%) developed grade 1 gastrointestinal toxicity and 12 patients (9.5%) developed grades 1-2 urinary toxicity. No grade 3 or greater toxicity was observed. The mean bladder point dose was 46.9% (11.256 Gy) and 49.8% (11.952 Gy) for the asymptomatic and symptomatic groups, respectively (p = 0.69). After a median follow-up of 36.8 months, the 3-year local failure and 5-year cancer-specific and overall survival rates were 2.1%, 100%, and 94.6%, respectively. No pelvic failure was seen in this cohort. Age over 60 years (p = 0.48), lymphatic invasion (p = 0.77), FIGO histological grade (p = 0.76), isthmus invasion (p = 0.68), and applicator type (cylinder × ovoid) (p = 0.82) did not significantly affect local control. CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective study, ICRU bladder point did not correlate with urinary toxicity. Four fractions of 6 Gy HDR-BT effected satisfactory local control, with acceptable urinary and gastrointestinal toxicity.
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PURPOSE: High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy has been accepted as an effective and safe method to treat prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to describe acute toxicity following HDR brachytherapy to the prostate, and to examine the association between dosimetric parameters and urinary toxicity in low-risk prostate cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with low-risk prostate cancer were given HDR brachytherapy as monotherapy in two 12.5 Gy fractions. Planning objectives for the planning target volume (PTV) were V100% ≥ 90% and V150% ≤ 35%. Planning objectives for organs at risk were V75% ≤ 1 cc for the bladder, rectum and perineum, and V125% ≤ 1 cc for the urethra. Toxicity was assessed three months after treatment using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were included in the analysis. Thirty-three patients (45%) reported having any type of toxicity in the three months following HDR brachytherapy. Most toxicity cases (26%) were grade 1 urinary toxicity. Mean coverage index was 0.89 and mean V100 was 88.85. Doses administered to the urethra were associated with urinary toxicity. Patients who received more than 111.3% of the prescribed dose in 1 cc of the urethra were four times more likely to have urinary toxicity compared to patients receiving less than 111.3% (OR = 4.71, 95% CI: 1.43-15.6; p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: High-dose-rate brachytherapy administered as monotherapy for prostate cancer proved to be a safe alternative treatment for patients with low-risk prostate cancer. Urinary toxicity was associated with the dose administered to 1 cc and 0.1 cc of the urethra and was remarkably inferior to the reported toxicity in similar studies.
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In linac-based stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and radiotherapy (SRT), circular cone(s) or conformal arc(s) are conventionally used to treat intracranial lesions. However, when the target is in close proximity to critical structures, it is frequently quite challenging to generate a quality plan using these techniques. In this study, we investigated the dosimetric characteristics of using high-dose rate RapidArc (RA) technique for radiosurgical treatment of intracranial lesions. A total of 10 intracranial SRS/SRT cases previously planned using dynamic conformal arc (DCA) or cone-based techniques have been included in this study. For each case, 3 treatment plans were generated: (1) a DCA plan with multiple noncoplanar arcs, (2) a high-dose rate RA plan with arcs oriented the same as DCA (multiple-arc RA), and 3) a high-dose rate RA plan with a single coplanar arc (single-arc RA). All treatment plans were generated under the same prescription and similar critical structure dose limits. Plan quality for different plans was evaluated by comparing various dosimetric parameters such as target coverage, conformity index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), critical structures, and normal brain tissue doses as well as beam delivery time. With similar critical structure sparing, high-dose rate RA plans can achieve much better target coverage, dose conformity, and dose homogeneity than the DCA plans can. Plan quality indices CI and HI, for the DCA, multiple-arc RA, and single-arc RA techniques, were measured as 1.67 ± 0.39, 1.32 ± 0.28, and 1.38 ± 0.30 and 1.24 ± 0.11, 1.10 ± 0.04, and 1.12 ± 0.07, respectively. Normal brain tissue dose (V12Gy) was found to be similar for DCA and multiple-arc RA plans but much larger for the single-arc RA plans. Beam delivery was similar for DCA and multiple-arc RA plans but shorter with single-arc RA plans. Multiple-arc RA SRS/SRT can provide better treatment plans than conventional DCA plans, especially for complex cases.
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Lesiones Encefálicas/prevención & control , Neoplasias Encefálicas/cirugía , Traumatismos por Radiación/prevención & control , Radiocirugia/métodos , Planificación de la Radioterapia Asistida por Computador/métodos , Radioterapia de Intensidad Modulada/métodos , Lesiones Encefálicas/etiología , Neoplasias Encefálicas/diagnóstico , Irradiación Craneana/efectos adversos , Irradiación Craneana/métodos , Fraccionamiento de la Dosis de Radiación , Humanos , Tratamientos Conservadores del Órgano/métodos , Traumatismos por Radiación/etiología , Radiometría , Radiocirugia/efectos adversos , Radioterapia de Intensidad Modulada/efectos adversos , Reproducibilidad de los Resultados , Estudios Retrospectivos , Sensibilidad y Especificidad , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
The treatment strategies for adult soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities place an emphasis on local control, maintenance of limb function, and quality of life. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for soft tissue sarcomas. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are also both important treatments used in these patients to optimize the outcomes of limb sparing surgery. Compared to external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy has the advantage of delivering a concentrated dose to the tumor, whilst sparing the normal tissues. Consequently, early and late complications such as bone fractures and subcutaneous fibrosis are potentially avoided by using brachytherapy. The evidence and clinical outcomes of HDR brachytherapy in soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities are described in this paper by means of a literature review.
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PURPOSE: To evaluated prognostic factors and impact of the quality of planning of high dose rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) for patients with local or locally advanced prostate cancer treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and HDR-BT. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between 1997 and 2005, 209 patients with biopsy proven prostate adenocarcinoma were treated with localized EBRT and HDR-BT at the Department of Radiation-Oncology, Hospital A. C. Camargo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Patient's age, Gleason score (GS), clinical stage (CS), initial PSA (iPSA), risk group for biochemical failure (GR), doses of EBRT and HDR-BT, use of three-dimensional planning for HDR-BT (3DHDR) and the Biological Effective Dose (BED) were evaluated as prognostic factors for biochemical control (bC). RESULTS: Median age and median follow-up time were 68 and 5.3 years, respectively. Median EBRT and HDR-BT doses were 45 Gy and 20 Gy. The crude bC at 3.3 year was 94.2%. For the Low, intermediate and high risk patients the bC rates at 3.3 years were 91.5%, 90.2% and 88.5%, respectively. Overall survival (OS) and disease specific survival rates at 3.3 years were 97.8% and 98.4%, respectively. On univariate analysis the prognostic factors related bC were GR (p= 0.040), GS < or = 6 (p= 0.002), total dose of HDR-BT > or = 20 Gy (p< 0.001), 3DHDR (p< 0.001), BED-HDR > or = 99 Gy(1.5) (p<0.001) and BED-TT > or = 185 (p<0.001). On multivariate analysis the statistical significant predictive factors related to bC were RG (p< 0.001), HDR-BT > or = 20 Gy (p=0.008) and 3DHDR (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: we observed that the bC rates correlates with the generally accepted risk factors described in the literature. Dose escalation, evaluated through the BED, and the quality of planning of HDR-BT are also important predictive factors when treating prostate cancer.
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Braquiterapia/métodos , Neoplasias de la Próstata/radioterapia , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Supervivencia sin Enfermedad , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Modelos Estadísticos , Pronóstico , Neoplasias de la Próstata/mortalidad , Garantía de la Calidad de Atención de Salud , Dosificación Radioterapéutica , Estudios Retrospectivos , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
OBJETIVO: Analizar la dosimetría en braquiterapia ginecólogica para el dispositivo Fletcher-Suit-Delclos con alta tasa de dosis, mediante placas radiográficas ortogonales (anteroposterior y lateral) versus tomografía axial computada (TAC). MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se compararon dosimetrías de 4 implantes, realizadas con placas ortogonales y TAC pélvico en la Unidad de Braquiterapia del Instituto Nacional del Cáncer durante el mes de febrero del año 2006. Se prescribieron dosis de 8 Gy/fracción a punto H y se evaluó dosis a vejiga, recto y vagina según norma internacional. RESULTADOS: Las dosimetrías por TAC mostraron puntos calientes superiores a las placas ortogonales, para recto un 133% y para vejiga un 260% más aproximadamente. El porcentaje de volumen blanco incluido es subestimado con la dosimetría efectuada por placas ortogonales. CONCLUSIONES: La dosimetría por placas ortogonales muestra menor exactitud que el TAC. Los volúmenes blanco no son satisfactoriamente cubiertos por la curva de isodosis prescrita. La dosis acumulada, probablemente, sea más relevante que la dosis fracción.
OBJECTIVE: We analyze the gynecologycal high dose rate brachytherapy dosimetry using the Fletcher-Suit-Delclos device, comparing orthogonal films (anteroposterior and lateral) versus axial computarized tomography. METHODS: 4 implants were analized with orthogonal films and axial computarized tomography in the Brachyhterapy Unit of the National Cancer Institute on February 2006. The dose/fraction was 8 Gy to the H point. The bladder, rectal and vaginal dose point were evaluated according to international specifications. RESULTS: Axial computarized tomography reveals hot points higher than orthogonal films dosimetries (133% and 260% for bladder and rectum respectively). The target volumen included was underestimated with the classical orthogonal film dosimetry. CONCLUSIONS: The orthogonal film dosimetry shows smaller accuracy than axial computarized tomography. The target volumens were not satisfactorily covered by the prescribed isodosis curve. The dose accumulated could, probably, be more prominent than the dose/fraction.