Dose volume histograms

Fig. 1. This example of a cumulative dose volume histogram (DVH) exemplifies the manner in which three dimensional treatment planning allows the radiation oncologist to ensure that the tumor receives the planned dose while limiting the dose of radiation received by the normal structures. In this example 100% of the gross tumor volume (GTV) receives 70 Gy whereas the dose received by any length of the spinal cord is less than 45 Gy.

Graham MV, Purdy JA, Emami B, et al. Clinical dose-volume histogram analysis for pneumonitis after 3D treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 1999 45(2) 323-329. 

Thus the calculation by equation (12.1) gives the mean dose to the target organ. The left hand side of equation (12.1) amounts to the ratio of total energy absorbed divided by the mass of the target. In addition to this dose-volume histograms may be used for internal beta emitters in both normal organs and tumors. 

Austin-Seymour MM, Chen GT, Castro JR (1986) Dose volume histogram analysis of liver radiation tolerance. J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 12 31-35... 

Pech M, Mohnike K, Wieners G, Bialek E, Lopez HE, Dudek O, Fischbach F, Felix R, Wust P, Ricke J (2006) Irradiation of liver metastases influence ofimaging modality on target volume and dose-volume-histograms, (in press) Punt CJ (2004) New options and old dilemmas in the treatment of patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Ann Oncol 15(10) 1453-1459... 

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