• Azhar Rashid, Zaeem Ahmad, Muhammad Ali Memon, and Abdul Sattar M Hashim.
• Dr. Azhar Rashid, MBBS, FCPS, MSc. Clinical & Radiation Oncologist, Department of Radiation Oncology (Stereotactic Radiosurgery), Neurospinal & Cancer Care Institute (NCCI), M.A Jinnah Road, Saddar, Karachi, Pakistan.
• Pak J Med Sci. 2021 Mar 1; 37 (2): 355361355-361.

ObjectiveTo evaluate VMAT plans for conformity and homogeneity of radiation dose to the target in order to share our experience as a pioneering institute to use VMAT technology in Pakistan.MethodsSince December 2014 to January 2018, 530 patients of various anatomical sites were treated by VMAT technique at Neurospinal Cancer Care Institute (NCCI) Karachi Pakistan. ERGO++ planning system (Version 1.7.2) was used to develop VMAT plans with single or multiple arcs by the rotation of couch and gantry. The plans were evaluated by calculating Conformity Index (CI) and Homogeneity Index (HI) and critical organ (OARs) doses of individual tumor sites.ResultsThe average CI of various sites was 1.4 (range: 1.0-2.0) and average HI of various sites was 1.20 (range: 1.07-1.374), respective critical organ doses were adequately achieved.ConclusionsVMAT treatment planning technique showed good conformal and homogeneous target coverage with sparing of organs at risk and reduced treatment delivery time. With these features, safety of VMAT technique may allow its routine clinical use, though it is still under investigation in many areas.Copyright: © Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences.

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