Open AccessReview of deep inspiration breath‐hold techniques for the treatment of breast cancer
Author(s) -
Latty Drew,
Stuart Kirsty E.,
Wang Wei,
Ahern Verity
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of medical radiation sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.484
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 2051-3909
pISSN - 2051-3895
DOI - 10.1002/jmrs.96
Subject(s) - medicine , breast cancer , medical physics , radiation therapy , radiation treatment planning , computer science , radiology , cancer
Abstract Radiation treatment to the left breast is associated with increased cardiac morbidity and mortality. The deep inspiration breath‐hold technique ( DIBH ) can decrease radiation dose delivered to the heart and this may facilitate the treatment of the internal mammary chain nodes. The aim of this review is to critically analyse the literature available in relation to breath‐hold methods, implementation, utilisation, patient compliance, planning methods and treatment verification of the DIBH technique. Despite variation in the literature regarding the DIBH delivery method, patient coaching, visual feedback mechanisms and treatment verification, all methods of DIBH delivery reduce radiation dose to the heart. Further research is required to determine optimum protocols for patient training and treatment verification to ensure the technique is delivered successfully.