【Objective】 A planning study was performed to compare volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT)

static intensity-modulated radiotherapy (sIMRT)

and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) for upper thoracic esophageal cancer. 【Methods】 Seven patients with loco-regionally advanced upper thoracic esophageal cancer were included. Based on the identical CT and planning target volume (PTV)

three plans (3DCRT

sIMRT with seven fields

VMAT with a single arc) were generated. Dose prescription was set to 60Gy in 30 fractions. Dose volume histograms

MU and delivery time were evaluated to assess plan quality. 【Results】 In comparison to 3DCRT

both VMAT and IMRT provided a systematic improvement in PTV coverage. For normal tissues

equivalent sparing of lung and heart were achieved with three plans. However

IMRT and VMAT showed a superior sparing compared with 3DCRT for spinal cord. The MU/fraction was as follows: 537 ± 92 for 3DCRT

601 ± 122 for IMRT

and 682 ± 139 for VMAT. Effective treatment time for 3DCRT

IMRT and VMAT were (3.9 ± 0.3) min

(6.0 ± 0.7) min and (4.7 ± 0.7)min

respectively (P < 0.05). 【Conclusions】 Compared with 3DCRT

IMRT and VMAT showed better dosimetric quality and superior spinal cord sparing. However

VMAT improved delivery efficiency significantly than IMRT.