Comparison of Flattening Filter and Flattening Filter-Free Volumetric Modulated Arc Radiotherapy in Patients with Locally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic role of flattening filter-free (FFF) mode in volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) compared with flattening filter (FF) mode in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). MATERIAL/METHODS: Ten previously treated patients with NPC underwent treatment re-planning with FFF and FF VMAT. Radiotherapy dose distribution on planning target volume (PTV), organs at risk (OAR), target conformity index (CI), total monitor units (MUs), and therapeutic time were compared. RESULTS: Maximum and mean radiotherapy dose in PTV and PGTV (primary lesions of NPC and cervical lymph node metastases) in FFF VMAT planning were significantly increased compared with FF VMAT planning, but PTV and OAR showed no significant differences. The CI value of PTV in FFF VMAT planning was significantly reduced compared with FF planning (P<0.05). No differences were found for the maximum radiotherapy dose in the spinal cord and left and right optic nerve, and the mean radiotherapy dose in the brainstem, left and right parotid gland (P>0.05). The maximum dose in the brainstem in the FFF planning was significantly higher compared with FF planning (P>0.05). The maximum radiotherapy dose in left and right crystalline lens (P<0.05) in FFF planning was significantly reduced compared with FF planning. The total hop count in FFF planning was significantly increased compared with FF planning (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both 6 MV X-ray FFF mode and FF mode in the treatment of patients with NPC showed that FFF VMAT planning provided improved protection for OAR.