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All studies to date have evaluated the dosimetric effect of bladder deformation using an organ model that includes the dose to the urine. This research reconstructed bladder dose using both hollow and solid organ models, to determine if dose/volume differences exist.35 prostate IMRT patients were selected, who had received 78Gy in 39 fractions and full bladder instructions. Biomechanical modelling and finite element analysis were used to reconstruct bladder dose (solid and hollow organ model) using every third CBCT throughout the treatment course.Reconstructed dose (ReconDose) was 11.3Gy greater than planned dose (planDose) with a hollow bladder model (p0.001) and 12.3Gy greater with a solid bladder model (p0.0001). Median reconstructed volumes within the 30Gy, 65Gy and 78Gy isodoses were 3-4 times larger with the solid organ model (p0.0001). The difference between planning bladder volume and median treatment volume was associated with the difference between the planDose and reconDose below 78Gy (R(2)0.61).Substantial differences exist between planned and reconstructed bladder dose, associated with the differences in bladder filling between planning and treatment. Dose reconstructed using a solid bladder model over-reports the volume of bladder within key isodose levels and overestimates the differences between planned and reconstructed dose. Dose reconstruction with a hollow organ model is recommended if the goal is to associate that dose with toxicity.

Purpose: Palliative Radiotherapy (PRT) plays an important role in the relief of neurologic symptoms in patients with brain metastases; however, little is known about the use of PRT on a population level. The purpose of this study was to describe temporal trends in the use of PRT for brain metastases in Ontario. Methods: The Ontario Cancer Registry was used to gather information on all cancer deaths in Ontario between the years 1984-2004. The proportion of these cases receiving at least one course of PRT for bone metastases within the last two years of life was described over time and by disease site. Results: There were 435,055 cancer deaths in Ontario during the study period. Of these cases, 4.0% received at least one course of PRT for brain mets within the last two years of life. The rate of PRT varied significantly by primary site (e.g. lung8.7%, breast-6.4%, kidney-5.0%, prostate-0.6%) (p