The study on the scattering ratio at the edge of the block according to the increasing block thickness in electron therapy

Purpose: The purpose is to clarify the effect of additional scattering ratio on the edge of the block according to the increasing block thickness with low melting point lead alloy and pure lead in electron beam therapy. Methods and materials: $10{\times}10cm^2$ Shielding blocks made of low melting point lead alloy and pure lead were fabricated to shield mold frame half of applicator. Block thickness was 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 (mm) for each material. The common irradiation conditions were set at 6 MeV energy, 300 MU / Min dose rate, gantry angle of $0^{\circ}$, and dose of 100 MU. The relative scattering ratio with increasing block thickness was measured with a parallel plate type ion chamber(Exradin P11) and phantom(RW3) by varying the position of the shielding block(cone and on the phantom), the position of the measuring point(surface ans depth of $D_{max}$), and the block material(lead alloy and pure lead). Results : When (depth of measurement / block position / block material) was (surface / applicator / pure lead), the relative value(scattering ratio) was 15.33 nC(+0.33 %), 15.28 nC(0 %), 15.08 nC(-1.31 %), 15.05 nC(-1.51 %), 15.07 nC(-1.37 %) as the block thickness increased in order of 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 (mm) respectively. When it was (surface / applicator / alloy lead), the relative value(scattering ratio) was 15.19 nC(-0.59 %), 15.25 nC(-0.20 %), 15.15 nC(-0.85 %), 14.96 nC(-2.09 %), 15.15 nC(-0.85 %) respectively. When it was (surface / phantom / pure lead), the relative value(scattering ratio) was 15.62 nC(+2.23 %), 15.59 nC(+2.03 %), 15.53 nC(+1.67 %), 15.48 nC(+1.31 %), 15.34 nC(+0.39 %) respectively. When it was (surface / phantom / alloy lead), the relative value(scattering ratio) was 15.56 nC(+1.83 %), 15.55 nC(+1.77 %), 15.51 nC(+1.51 %), 15.42 nC(+0.92 %), 15.39 nC(+0.72 %) respectively. When it was (depth of $D_{max}$ / applicator / pure lead), the relative value(scattering ratio) was 16.70 nC(-10.87 %), 16.84 nC(-10.12 %), 16.72 nC(-10.78 %), 16.88 nC(-9.93 %), 16.90 nC(-9.82 %) respectively. When it was (depth of $D_{max}$ / applicator / alloy lead), the relative value(scattering ratio) was 16.83 nC(-10.19 %), 17.12 nC(-8.64 %), 16.89 nC(-9.87 %), 16.77 nC(-10.51 %), 16.52 nC(-11.85 %) respectively. When it was (depth of $D_{max}$ / phantom / pure lead), the relative value(scattering ratio) was 17.41 nC(-7.10 %), 17.45 nC(-6.88 %), 17.34 nC(-7.47 %), 17.42 nC(-7.04 %), 17.25 nC(-7.95 %) respectively. When it was (depth of $D_{max}$ / phantom / alloy lead), the relative value(scattering ratio) was 17.45 nC(-6.88 %), 17.44 nC(-6.94 %), 17.47 nC(-6.78 %), 17.43 nC(-6.99 %), 17.35 nC(-7.42 %) respectively. Conclusions: When performing electron therapy using a shielding block, the block position should be inserted applicator rather than the patient's body surface. The block thickness should be made to the minimum appropriate shielding thickness of each corresponding using energy. Also it is useful that the treatment should be performed considering the influence of scattering dose varying with distance from the edge of block.

전자선 치료 시 차폐블록 두께 변화에 따른 블록 주변 선량에 관한 연구

목 적: 전자선 치료에서 저 용융점 납합금과 순수 납을 이용한 차폐 시 두께증가에 따른 블록 가장자리의 산란선 영향을 알아보고자 한다. 대상 및 방법: $10{\times}10cm^2$ 어플리케이터의 Insert Frame 절반을 차폐하도록 블록을 제작하였고, 두께는 각 재질당 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 (mm)로 하였다. 공통 조건을 에너지 6 MeV, 선량률 300 MU/Min, 갠트리 각도 0, 부여선량 100 MU으로 설정하였고, 블록의 위치와 측정점의 위치, 블록재질을 각각 달리하여 블록 두께증가에 따른 상대적인 산란비율을 평행평판형 전리함과 고체팬텀으로 측정하였다. 결 과: (측정 깊이 / 블록 위치 / 블록 재질)이 (표면 / 어플리케이터 / 순수 납)일 때 블록 두께가 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 (mm) 순으로 증가함에 따라 상대선량은 15.33 nC, 15.28 nC, 15.08 nC, 15.05 nC, 15.07 nC로 측정되었다. (표면 / 어플리케이터 / 합금 납)일 때 15.19 nC, 15.25 nC, 15.15 nC, 14.96 nC, 15.15 nC로 측정되었다. (표면 / 팬텀 위 / 순수 납)일 때 15.62 nC, 15.59 nC, 15.53 nC, 15.48 nC, 15.34 nC로 측정되었다. (표면 / 팬텀 위 / 합금 납)일 때 15.56 nC, 15.55 nC, 15.51 nC, 15.42 nC, 15.39 nC로 측정되었다. (심부 / 어플리케이터 / 순수 납)일 때 16.70 nC, 16.84 nC, 16.72 nC, 16.88 nC, 16.90 nC로 측정되었다. (심부 / 어플리케이터 / 합금 납)일 때 16.83 nC, 17.12 nC, 16.89 nC, 16.77 nC, 16.52 nC로 측정되었다. (심부 / 팬텀 위 / 순수 납)일 때 17.41 nC, 17.45 nC, 17.34 nC, 17.42 nC, 17.25 nC로 측정되었다. (심부 / 팬텀 위 / 합금 납)일 때 17.45 nC, 17.44 nC, 17.47 nC, 17.43 nC, 17.35 nC로 측정되었다. 결 론: 차폐블록을 이용하여 전자선 치료를 진행할 때 블록위치는 환자 체표면보다는 어플리케이터에 삽입하고 두께는 각 사용 에너지에 해당되는 최소 적정차폐두께로 제작해야 한다. 또한 블록 가장자리 경계선으로부터 떨어진 거리에 따라 변화하는 산란선의 영향을 충분히 고려하여 치료를 시행하는 것이 바람직하다고 사료된다.