A Two-Year Experience of Implementing 3 Dimensional Radiation Therapy and Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy for 925 Patients in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital
Chawalit Lertbutsayanukul MD*, Kanjana Shotelersuk MD*, Chonlakiet Khorprasert MD*, Taweap Sanghangthum MSc**, Sornjarod Oonsiri MSc**, Isra Israngkul Na Ayuthaya MSc**, Chotika Jumpangern MSc**, Sivalee Suriyapee MEng*, Prayuth Rojpornpradit MD*
Affiliation : * Division of Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok ** Division of Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology, Department of Radiology, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Bangkok
Background and
Objective : Three dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D CRT) and intensity-modulated
radiation therapy (IMRT) have been implemented at Department of Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology,
King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (KCMH) since July 2005. This is the first study in Thailand to
evaluate the pattern of care and utilization of 3D CRT and IMRT for treatment in each individual cancer.
Material and Method: Between July 2005 and July 2007, 925 newly diagnosed cancer patients underwent
IMRT or 3D CRT at KCMH. The authors retrospectively reviewed the experience and utilization of 3D CRT
and IMRT for each disease site and region.
Results : There were 471 males and 454 females. There were 332 patients (35.9%) treated with IMRT. Among
the 332 IMRT patients, there were 100, 32 and 27 nasopharyngeal, lung and prostate cancers, respectively.
On the contrary, 593 patients (64.1%) were treated with 3D CRT. Among these, breast, cervix and lung cancers
were the most common diseases. Except for head and neck as well as genitourinary cancer, 3D CRT was still
the main technique used in more than 60% of the patients at KCMH.
Conclusion : 3D CRT and IMRT have been successfully implemented at KCMH for 2 years. Three dimensional
conformal radiation therapy was still the main technique used in more than 60% of the patients at KCMH.
Prospective studies evaluating tumor control and treatment sequelae are expected
Keywords : Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), Thailand
