La Tomographie par Émission de Positon (TEP) combinée à l'imagerie scanner est intéressante pour la planification de traitement en radiothérapie. Elle réduit la variabilité inter et intra-observateur dans la définition du volume cible et permet de visualiser les hétérogénéités biologiques. Plusieurs algorithmes de segmentation ont été proposés mais aucun ne fait consensus. Pour valider ces algorithmes, les simulations de Monte-Carlo offrent la possibilité de maîtriser la vérité terrain et l'ensemble des paramètres d'acquisition.Nous avons proposé plusieurs méthodologies d'amélioration du réalisme des simulations. Des jeux de données présentant une variabilité anatomique, une hétérogénéité tumorale réaliste et intégrant les mouvements respiratoires ont ainsi été générés.Ces données ont été utilisées dans une première étude sur la segmentation du volume cible. Plusieurs algorithmes ont été comparés dans le cadre de la planification de traitement. L'utilisation de données simulées a permis de relier la précision de la segmentation à la qualité de la couverture de la vérité terrain. Nous avons aussi étudié l'impact de la respiration sur la précision de la segmentation.L'utilisation d'un algorithme de segmentation avancé permettant de définir un sous-volume plus actif pour la prescription d'une dose hétérogène a été proposée. Plusieurs scénarios de prescription ont été comparés en terme de probabilité de contrôle tumorale (TCP) calculée sur la TEP. La variabilité de la TCP liée aux paramètres d'acquisitions a été quantifiée. L'impact du contraste et de la taille du sous-volume fut étudié. Pour finir l'apport d'un ajout de compartiments à de telles prescriptions a été analysé. / There has been an increasing interest for the use Positron Emission Tomography (PET) combined with Computed Tomography for radiotherapy treatment planning. It improves target volume delineation by reducing inter and intra-observer variability and allows visualizing biological heterogeneities. Plethoras of segmentation algorithm have been proposed but there is a lack of consensus regarding which one to use. Monte Carlo simulations are interesting to validate these algorithms since they allow creating datasets with known ground-truth and for which all acquisition parameters are controlled.We proposed several methodologies for improving the realism of simulations. Several datasets incorporating patient specific variability in terms of anatomy and activity distributions, realistic tumor shape and activity modeling and integrating the respiratory motions were created.These data were used in a first study concerning target volume definition. Several algorithms were compared for radiotherapy treatment planning. The accuracy of segmentation was related to the quality of ground-truth volume coverage. We also studied the impact of respiratory motion on segmentation accuracy.We investigated the use of an advanced segmentation method able to define high uptake sub-volumes, for heterogeneous dose prescriptions. Several scenarios of prescriptions were compares in terms of Tumor Control Probability (TCP) computed on PET images. Variability of this TCP due to acquisition parameters was quantified. The impact of contrast and size of sub-volume was studied. Finally we studied the usefulness of the addition of compartments to such heterogeneous prescriptions.

The study is designed as a prospective clinical trial. Patients with histologically proven head and neck cancer treated by curative radiotherapy were included. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between pretreatment or posttreatment nutritional status and overall surival or locoregional / distant control. Pretreatment and posttreatment nutritional status was evaluated by body weight, body mass index, total serum protein, albumin, prealbumin, transferin and cholinesterase. Univariete and multivariete regression analyses were applied for prognostic factors associated with survival or tumor control. In this study we demonstrated, that poorer nutritional status prior curative radiotherapy, has a negative impact on subsequent control of cancer. The most sensitive parameter was serum cholinesterase. Serum cholinesterase  108 kat/l was the independent negative prognostic factor for both locoregional and distant tumor control. Results of this study indicate the need for intensive nutritional support before starting of curative treatment.

Traditionally, uncertainties are handled by expanding the irradiated volume to ensure target dose coverage to a certain probability. The uncertainties arise from e.g. the uncertainty in positioning of the patient at every fraction, organ motion and in defining the region of interests on the acquired images. The applied margins are inherently population based and do not exploit the geometry of the individual patient. Probabilistic planning on the other hand incorporates the uncertainties directly into the treatment optimization and therefore has more degrees of freedom to tailor the dose distribution to the individual patient. The aim of this thesis is to create a framework for probabilistic evaluation and optimization based on the concept of dose coverage probabilities. Several computational challenges for this purpose are addressed in this thesis. The accuracy of the fraction by fraction accumulated dose depends directly on the accuracy of the deformable image registration (DIR). Using the simulation framework, we could quantify the requirements on the DIR to 2 mm or less for a 3% uncertainty in the target dose coverage. Probabilistic planning is computationally intensive since many hundred treatments must be simulated for sufficient statistical accuracy in the calculated treatment outcome. A fast dose calculation algorithm was developed based on the perturbation of a pre-calculated dose distribution with the local ratio of the simulated treatment’s fluence and the fluence of the pre-calculated dose. A speedup factor of ~1000 compared to full dose calculation was achieved with near identical dose coverage probabilities for a prostate treatment. For some body sites, such as the cervix dataset in this work, organ motion must be included for realistic treatment simulation. A statistical shape model (SSM) based on principal component analysis (PCA) provided the samples of deformation. Seven eigenmodes from the PCA was sufficient to model the dosimetric impact of the interfraction deformation. A probabilistic optimization method was developed using constructs from risk management of stock portfolios that enabled the dose planner to request a target dose coverage probability. Probabilistic optimization was for the first time applied to dataset from cervical cancer patients where the SSM provided samples of deformation. The average dose coverage probability of all patients in the dataset was within 1% of the requested.

Background Most cancer patients undergo external radiotherapy (RT) at some stage during their treatment trajectory. RT is often associated with unfamiliar procedures where the technical environment, side effects and interaction with staff seem to play a major role in the patient’s treatment experience. These experiences could sometimes lead to disruption of the treatment which may have negative consequences for the outcome. The overall aim of this thesis was to gain further knowledge about how patients experience RT and the related processes. Such knowledge is of vital importance when developing and improving care within a high-tech RT environment. Aim The overall aim of this thesis was to gain further knowledge about how patients experience RT and the related processes. Such knowledge is of vital importance when developing and improving care within a high-tech RT environment. Methods To gain further knowledge and understanding about patients experience of RT both quantitative (I, II, III) and qualitative (III, IV) methodology were used. The data in the thesis focused on patients undergoing external RT at different RT units in Sweden. Study I and II, focused on two regions, the northern region of Sweden and the region of Stockholm and Gotland.  Study III and IV were performed at eight different RT units in Sweden. Results In Study I, two types of topical agents (Calendula Weleda cream vs. Essex cream) were compared regarding reducing the risk of severe acute radiation skin reactions (ARSR). No difference in severe ARSR was found between the groups and the patients reported low levels of ARSR. In Study II, the influence of an RT unit’s psychosocial climate and treatment environment on cancer patients’ anxiety during external RT was evaluated. Data was collected (questionnaire) from 892 patients. The results showed that both the treatment environment and the psychosocial climate of the RT unit significantly impacted cancer patient anxiety levels. In Study III & IV, a questionnaire to measure the patient´s experience during external RT was developed and tested. The results showed that the RT Experience Questionnaire (RTEQ), with 23 items, was a tentatively valid and reliable instrument to measure how patients experience the RT process and the environment in the treatment room. In Study IV, written comments from the open-ended question “Is there anything else you want us to know?” in the preliminary RTEQ was analysed with qualitative content analysis. This data was abstracted into the following four major categories reflecting the experience of the RT process:  Experiences in the high tech RT environment; Understanding the RT procedures and side effects; Dealing with daily life during RT and The nurses’ role and performance. Conclusion The RT environment and the RT related processes seem to impact cancer patients, both physically and psychologically. A person-centered care approach, as well as attention to the design, both of the treatment process and the physical environment could significantly improve the patient experience and patient involvement. The results also highlight the importance of taking patient experiences into account when introducing new RT methods and techniques.

No description available.

Les douleurs viscérales chroniques font partie des effets secondaires des patients traités pour des cancers de la zone pelvienne. Ces douleurs peuvent affecter grandement la qualité de vie de ces patients. Dans les cas les plus graves, il n'existe pas de traitement analgésique efficace. Ainsi le développement de nouvelles stratégies thérapeutiques efficaces constitue un enjeu majeur. Au sein de notre laboratoire, le potentiel réparateur et immuno-modulateur des cellules stromales mésenchymateuses (CSM) a déjà été démontré dans un modèle d'ulcération colorectale radio-induite chez le rat. Dans ce contexte, l'objectif de ma thèse était d'évaluer d'abord la pertinence de l'utilisation de ce modèle pour l'étude de l'hypersensibilité viscérale persistante radio-induite, puis, le bénéfice thérapeutique de l'utilisation des CSM comme agent antinociceptif. Nous avons dans un premier temps démontré, dans ce modèle, le maintien au cours du temps d'une hypersensibilité viscérale associée à une sensibilisation centrale persistante après irradiation, validant ainsi le modèle. Nous avons ensuite montré l'implication des mastocytes (MC) et suggéré l'implication du neuromédiateur NO dans les mécanismes de la sensibilisation périphérique sous-tendant une telle hypersensibilité. Nous avons enfin mis en évidence que le traitement par des CSM permettait la réduction de l'hypersensibilité viscérale radio-induite persistante. La capacité des CSM à moduler l'activation des MC et/ou leurs interactions avec les fibres nerveuses pourrait être impliquée dans leur action antinociceptive. En conclusion, ce travail a permis d'élargir le spectre d'action thérapeutique des CSM dans notre modèle d'étude. / Patients who undergo pelvic radiotherapy may develop significant incidence of undesirable chronic gastrointestinal complications resulting from radiation-induced damages around the tumour. Chronic visceral pain is one of the radiation-induced side effects that greatly affects the quality of life of “cancer survivors”. The lack of effective analgesic treatment highlights the importance of novel and effective therapeutic strategies. In our laboratory, mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) based approach showed beneficial immunomodulatory and regenerative effects in a rat model of irreversible radiation-induced colonic ulcers. The goal of my work was to assess the relevance of this model to study radiation-induced visceral persistent hypersensitivity and its modulation by MSC treatment. We first demonstrated that this model is associated with long-lasting visceral hypersensitivity and central neuronal sensitization. In this context we showed then that mast cells (MC) are involved in the mechanism of peripheral sensitization. Moreover, we suggested the implication of the neuromediator NO• in the pathophysiology of persistent radiation-induced visceral hypersensitivity. We also suggested that MSC treatment reversed radiation-induced hypersensitivity by a mechanism that in part may involve the modulation of MC activation and/or the decrease in the number of MC and nerve fiber interactions. In addition, MSC treatment reduced the percentage of nitrinergic neurons, increased after irradiation, and restored colonic muscular contractibility. Such processes may promote the therapeutic benefit of MSC observed in our study. In conclusion, this work provided new insights on the therapeutic benefit of MSC in our study model and a new argument in favour of their use in a future clinical trial to cure abdominopelvic radiotherapy side effects.

Orientador: Marco Antonio Rodrigues Fernandes / Resumo: Um queloide é uma cicatriz elevada, de contornos irregulares, que se estende além das bordas de uma excisão cirúrgica ou trauma de pele por uma formação excessiva de colágeno na derme durante o processo de reparação do tecido conjuntivo. A formação de queloides pode surgir através de falhas nas sequencias regulatórias, nos fatores de crescimento e nas interações queratinócito-fibroblastos, evoluindo com retardo na senescência e apoptose. Terapias adjuvantes à cirurgia de queloides são necessárias em função do alto índice de recidiva. A radioterapia percutânea pós operatória evidencia bons resultados já que os queloides recentes são ricos em fibroblastos, altamente sensíveis à radiação. Neste trabalho foi realizada uma meta-análise, baseada em estudos publicados em artigos científicos, visando verificar os resultados da realização de radioterapia em pacientes portadores de queloides, que foram submetidos à cirurgia para retirada da lesão com subsequente irradiação do leito cicatricial. Os artigos científicos analisados apontaram 1310 pacientes submetidos à radioterapia em cicatrizes queloidianas, em regiões anatômicas diversas, dos quais, o índice de recidiva médio foi de 16,73%. Os estudos concluem que a aplicação da radioterapia após cirurgia de queloide contribui para minimizar os índices de recorrência da lesão, quando comparada com apenas a cirurgia isolada. / Abstract: A keloid is a high scar, irregularly shaped that extends beyond the borders of a surgical excision or skin trauma by excessive formation of collagen in the dermis during the repair process of connective tissue. Keloid formation may arise through regulatory sequence failures, growth factors, and keratinocyte-fibroblast interactions, evolving with delayed senescence and apoptosis. Adjuvant therapies for keloid surgery are necessary because of the high relapse rate. Postoperative percutaneous radiotherapy shows good results since recent keloids are rich in fibroblasts, highly sensitive to radiation. In this work, a meta-analysis was performed, based on studies published in scientific articles, aiming to verify the results of radiotherapy in patients with keloids who submitted surgery to remove the lesion with subsequent cicatricial bed irradiation. The scientific articles analyzed showed 1310 patients submitted to radiotherapy in keloid scars, in different anatomical regions, of which, the average recurrence rate was 16.73%. The studies conclude that the application of radiotherapy after keloid surgery contributes to minimize lesion recurrence rates, when compared with only isolated surgery. / Mestre

La radiothérapie est utilisée seule ou en association avec la chimiothérapie dans le traitement de plus de 50% des cancers. En dépit des nombreux progrès dans le but d’améliorer le rapport bénéfice/risque, l’irradiation est à l’origine de nombreux effets secondaires. Une des origines connues des cancers de la thyroïde est l’exposition pendant l’enfance aux radiations ionisantes, soit accidentelles, soit suite à un traitement par radiothérapie externe pour une autre pathologie. Les mécanismes par lesquels les radiations ionisantes provoquent l’apparition d’un cancer de la thyroïde sont nombreux et encore incomplètement connus. Les radiations ionisantes sont des agents génotoxiques qui induisent des dommages au niveau de l’ADN telles que des cassures et des aberrations chromosomiques. Bien que les mécanismes qui sous-tendent ces effets ne soient pas complètement compris, il est généralement admis que les radiations ionisantes induisent des dommages à l’ADN soit de manière directe soit de manière indirecte en générant des espèces réactives de l’oxygène (ROS). Durant ma thèse, nous avons étudié le rôle des ROS produit lors de l’irradiation dans la génération des dommages à l’ADN dans les cellules thyroïdiennes. Nos résultats montrent que les ROS produites après irradiation participent à la formation des réarrangements chromosomiques RET/PTC1 retrouvés dans 70% des cancers papillaires radioinduits. Les ROS engendrées par la radiolyse de l’eau ont une durée de vie extrêmement courte ce qui limite leur diffusion. Néanmoins, par des mécanismes redox, ils provoquent des modifications au niveau cellulaire qui conduisent à leur tour à l’activation de systèmes générateurs de ROS, parmi lesquels on trouve les NADPH oxydases. Nos résultats montrent que l’irradiation induit l’expression de la NADPH oxydase DUOX1 via la sécrétion d’IL-13, plusieurs jours après l’exposition aux radiations ionisantes. L’inactivation de DUOX1 par ARNs interférents diminue de manière significative les dommages de l’ADN observés plusieurs jours après irradiation. Ces résultats suggèrent un rôle de DUOX1 dans le stress oxydatif chronique qui contribue à l’instabilité génétique. / Radiotherapy is used alone or in combination with chemotherapy to treat over 50% of cancers. Despite much progress in order to improve the benefit / risk ratio, the radiation causes many side effects. One of the known origins of thyroid cancer is exposure during childhood to ionizing radiation, either accidentally or as a result of external radiation therapy for another disease. The mechanisms by which ionizing radiation causes the appearance of thyroid cancer are numerous and not yet fully known. Ionizing radiations are genotoxic agents that induce DNA damage such as breaks and chromosomal aberrations. Although the mechanisms underlying these effects are not completely understood, it is generally accepted that ionizing radiations induce DNA damage either directly or indirectly by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). During my PhD, we studied the role of ROS produced during irradiation in the generation of DNA damage in thyroid cells. Our results show that ROS produced after irradiation participate in the formation of RET/PTC1 rearrangements found in 70% of radiation-induced papillary cancers. ROS generated by radiolysis of water have a very short lifetime that limits their diffusion. However, by redox mechanisms, they cause changes at the cellular level, which in turn lead to the activation of ROS generating systems, which include the NADPH oxidases. Our results show that irradiation induces the expression of NADPH oxidase DUOX1 via the secretion of IL-13, several days after exposure to ionizing radiation. Inactivation of DUOX1 by interfering RNAs significantly reduces the DNA damage observed several days after irradiation. These results suggest a role DUOX1 in chronic oxidative stress that contributes to genetic instability.

A radioterapia para tratamento das neoplasias malignas em região de cabeça e pescoço é acompanhada de diversas complicações, decorrentes do comprometimento dos tecidos radiossensíveis localizados próximos ao tumor. Entre essas complicações a mucosite é a que merece maior destaque. A mucosite é uma reação tóxica inflamatória da mucosa oral causada pelo tratamento citorredutivo induzido pela radioterapia (RT) ou pela quimioterapia (QT). Ela manifesta-se com sinais de edema, eritema, úlcera e formação pseudomembrana, resultando em sintomas de ardência, que pode progredir para dor intensa e consequente prejuízo na alimentação e comunicação verbal. Infecções bacterianas, fúngicas ou virais podem acometer a mucosa bucal irradiada e exacerbar a manifestação da mucosite oral por meio da ativação de fatores de transcrição da resposta inflamatória. Existem poucos dados na literatura sobre a participação dos herpesvirus humanos na mucosite oral induzida pela radioterapia. A proposta desse trabalho foi avaliar a excreção oral dos herpesvirus humanos (HSV-1, HSV-2, EBV, CMV, VZV, HHV6, HHV7 e HHV8) e sua possível associação com o desenvolvimento e agravamento da mucosite oral, em pacientes diagnosticados com carcinoma epidermoide (CEC) de boca e orofaringe, submetidos à radioterapia associado à quimioterapia. Nesse estudo foram analisadas 158 amostras de lavado bucal, de 20 pacientes, submetidos à radioterapia para CEC em região de cabeça e pescoço, coletadas semanalmente, durante todo o tratamento. Foi realizada a extração do DNA dessas amostras e em seguida sua amplificação através da PCR utilizando dois conjuntos de primers: HSVP1/P2 para os subtipos HSV-1, HSV-2, EBV, CMV e HHV-8 e o VZVP1/P2 para os subtipos VZV, HHV-6 e HHV-7. As amostras positivas foram submetidas à digestão enzimática com enzimas de restrição BamHI e BstUI para determinação específica de cada um dos oito herpesvirus. Foi também avaliada clinicamente, a mucosite oral, em cada uma das coletas, seguindo os critérios da OMS e NCIC. As análises da amostra mostraram a excreção do EBV, HHV-6 e HHV-7, em todas as semanas de tratamento radioterápico, enquanto que a excreção do HSV1 não pode ser observada no momento da triagem. Considerando-se todos os períodos em conjunto (Triagem, semanas de radioterapia e Controle), a maior frequência foi de pacientes que excretaram EBV (55,0%), seguida daqueles que excretaram HHV-7 (20,5%). A frequência de excreção de EBV foi significativamente maior do que a dos demais vírus (Teste ?2, p<0.001 para todos os cruzamentos). A frequência de excreção de HHV-7 foi significativamente maior do que a de HSV-1 (5,9%) e HHV-6 (5,5%) (Teste ?2, p=0.001 para ambos os cruzamentos). Não houve diferenças estatísticas significantes entre as frequências de HSV-1 e HHV-6. Como conclusão, verificou-se uma correlação positiva entre a excreção oral do EBV e a presença de mucosite induzida pela associação de radioterapia e quimioterapia com graus >=2, sobretudo se considerarmos as três últimas semanas de radioterapia, período este em que a severidade da mucosite foi estatisticamente maior. Esses achados nos possibilitam inferir que o ambiente inflamatório local de mucosites com grau >=2 seja mais favorável para excreção oral do EBV. / The radiotherapy (RT) treatment for head and neck tumors is accompanied by various complications resulting from the damage of the radiosensitive tissues located close to the tumor. Among these complications, mucositis is the one that deserves a special attention. Mucositis is an inflammatory toxic reaction of the oral mucosa caused by cytoreductive treatment induced by radiotherapy (RT) or chemotherapy (QT). The clinical manifestations of mucositis are: edema, erythema, ulcers and pseudo membrane formation, resulting in symptoms of burning, which may progress to severe pain and consequent loss in deglutition and verbal communication. The development of bacterial, fungal or viral infections, may affect the oral mucosa that has been irradiated, exacerbating the manifestation of oral mucositis through the activation of transcription factors of the inflammatory response. There are few data in the literature on the participation of human herpesvirus in oral mucositis caused by radiotherapy treatment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the oral excretion of human herpesvirus (HSV-1, HSV-2, EBV, CMV, VZV, HHV6, HHV7 and HHV-8) and its possible association with the development and aggravation of oral mucositis, in patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma (CEC) of oral cavity and oropharynx, undergoing radiotherapy treatment associated with chemotherapy. On our study, we analyzed 158 oral rinsing samples, collected weekly, from 20 patients during the whole radiotherapy treatment for squamous cell carcinoma in head and neck. From these samples, we extracted the DNA and afterwards we amplified them with PCR using two sets of primers: HSVP1/P2 for the subtypes HSV-1, HSV-2, EBV, CMV, and HHV-8 and VZVP1/P2 for the subtypes VZV, HHV 6, and HHV-7. The positive samples were subjected to enzymatic digestion with BamHI and BstUI restriction enzymes for specific determination of each one, of the eight\'s herpesvirus. It has also been clinically evaluated in each time, the oral mucositis, following the WHO and NCIC criteria. The analysis of the sample showed the excretion of EBV, HHV-6 and HHV-7, in all the weeks of radiotherapy, whereas the excretion of HSV-1 could not be observed during screening. Considering all periods together (Screening, weeks of radiotherapy and Follow up), the highest frequency was of patients with EBV excretion (55.0%), followed by those with HHV-7 excretion (20.5%). EBV shedding frequency was significantly higher than the other viruses (?2 test, p <0.001 for all junctions). The frequency of HHV-7 excretion was significantly higher than the HSV-1 excretion (5.9%), and HHV-6 excretion (5.5%) (?2 Test, p = 0.001 for both junctions). There were no statistically significant differences between the frequencies of HSV-1 and HHV- 6. In conclusion, there was a positive correlation between oral EBV excretion and the presence of grade >=2 of mucositis caused by radiotherapy associated with chemotherapy, particularly if we consider the last three weeks of radiotherapy, a period in which the severity of mucositis was statistically higher. These findings allow us to infer that the local inflammatory environment of mucositis grade >=2, is more favorable for oral excretion of EBV.

Na elaboração do planejamento do tratamento de câncer com radiações ionizantes, o médico radioterapêuta, através dos protocolos clínicos, determina a dose de radiação diária para cada tipo específico de tumor e, junto com o físico, durante os procedimentos de simulação dos campos de tratamento, fazem a localização das áreas a serem tratadas. Em alguns casos, os campos de radiação apresentam dimensões extensas visando englobar todo o volume alvo, o que pode exigir a proteção de regiões anatômicas e órgãos vitais localizados no interior da área irradiada ou mesmo circunvizinhas ao volume alvo, a fim de se garantir o limite de dose absorvida tolerável por estes órgãos. Em geral, estes órgãos críticos localizam-se fora do eixo central do feixe de radiação, até mesmo próximo da periferia do campo, justificando a importância da determinação da dose de radiação em pontos situados fora do feixe central e do isocentro de tratamento, buscando dimensionar as colimações de proteção que dependem do seu posicionamento, da dose de tolerância do ponto anatômico e dos parâmetros radiométricos do equipamentos de radiação utilizados. Este trabalho apresenta uma análise da distribuição de dose absorvida em pontos situados fora do eixo central do feixe de radiação durante procedimentos de radioterapia com campos extensos e irregulares. O código computacional MCNP5 foi usado para construir duas modelagens do cabeçote de um acelerador linear clínico, utilizado como fonte de radiação, e simular o perfil radiométrico do feixe de tratamento para campos irregulares e alargados. Foram realizadas medidas experimentais da curva de Porcentagem de Dose Profunda (PDP) e perfil de dose utilizando câmara de ionização, detectores de diodos e filmes radiográficos. Os valores experimentais foram comparados com os perfis de dose simulados para realização do processo de validação dos cálculos. Após a validação, casos clínicos foram simulados como forma de aplicação da metodologia apresentada. / In treatment planning of radiotherapy, the radiotherapist determines the daily radiation dose for each specific type of tumor and, with the physicist, locates the areas to be treated during the simulation procedures of treatment fields. In some cases the radiation fields have large dimensions in order to cover the entire target volume, which may require protection of the vital organs and anatomical regions located within the irradiated area or surrounding the target volume, in order to ensure the limit absorbed dose tolerated by these agencies. In general, these critical organs are located off-axis beam, even near the periphery of the field, which explains the importance of determining the radiation dose at points outside of the central beam and the isocenter of treatment, aiming size the protection that depend on their location, the tolerance dose of the anatomical point and radiometric parameters of the radiation equipment used. This work presents an analysis of the distribution of absorbed dose at points outside the central axis of the beam during radiotherapy procedures with large and irregular fields. The MCNP5 code was used to construct the modeling of the head of a clinical linear accelerator, used as a radiation source, and simulate the profile of the beam treatment for irregular elds and extended. Measurements were made of the experimental curve Percentage Depth Dose (PDD) and dose prole using ionization chamber detectors, diodes and radiographic films. The experimental values were compared with dose profiles simulated to perform the validation process of the calculations. After validation, clinical cases were simulated as a way of applying the methodology presented.