Dose-Volume Histograms Can Be Interpreted in Different Ways

Abstract

This is intended to augment the discussion presented in a recent article by Forman et al. (1). Total androgen suppression (TAS) prior to radiation therapy (XRT) for prostatic carcinoma may allow reduction of prostate and seminal vesicle (P & SV) volumes and therefore require smaller radiation treatment portals. We have also observed such reduction in volumes after several months of TAS. However, our experience does not support the belief that this automatically can also lead to a reduction of dose to the bladder and rectum during radiation therapy (1-3).