A French survey on breast radiotherapy techniques for simulation and treatment

Breast radiotherapy is still in progress. The target volumes - whole breast and lymph nodes - are usually located by clinical palpation and the use of bony landmarks. However computed tomography has allowed a better definition of the deep edge of the volumes and the calculation of 3D dose distributions. A survey of 194 centers has started in June 2005 in France. The questionnaire that was sent included questions about general techniques in breast radiotherapy. Preliminary results on 50 centers showed that patient anatomical data were in the vast majority acquired by a simulator-CT or a CT (for 92%). In the 50 departments, beam placement is done either directly at the simulator (20 centers), or on the TPS (16 centers). Virtual simulation software is used in 8 centers. In about 20% (11) radiotherapy departments, 3D target volumes are contoured and the beams adapted to their shapes. (author)