Prone Breath Hold Technique to Decrease Cardiac and Pulmonary Doses in Women Receiving Left Breast Radiotherapy

Pilot Study For Prone Breath Hold Technique to Decrease Cardiac and Pulmonary Doses in Women Receiving Left Breast Radiotherapy

This is a pilot study to determine whether the addition of inspiratory hold (breath holding) can decrease the radiation dose that the heart and lung receive for patients being treated for left sided breast cancer.

Subjects have a standard of care CT simulation, which includes an additional breath hold CT. Inspiratory gated breath-hold will be used. Two radiation plans will be generated: one for the CT scan performed free breathing, and one for the CT scan performed with inspiratory gated breath hold. The cardiac and lung doses will be determined. At the discretion of the treating physician, the plan with the lower cardiac and lung dose may be used to treat the patient.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients of Dr. Gonzalez
• ≥18 years of age
• Node-negative left breast cancer
• Invasive or DCIS breast cancer
• Prior lumpectomy
• Deemed appropriate for treatment in the prone position by the treating physician
• Able to tolerate prone position and breath hold during CT simulation

Exclusion Criteria:

• <18 years of age
• Patients requiring treatment in supine position