• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.41-47
• /
• 2013

We evaluated the influence of volume effect on the measurement of IMRT dose distribution by comparing a 2D-array ion chamber and other dosimeters. Matrix phantom which is a 2D-array ion chamber having volume effect was compared with beam image system and film for the measurement of dose distribution. Five intensity-modulated radiation therapy plans were created using five fields in thevirtual phantom. The measured dose distribution was compared with the calculated one by radiation treatment planning system and analysis program. We evaluated the conformity of dose distribution by calculating correlation coefficients and gamma values. The highest error rate of 1.3% was associated with matrix phantom in which volume effect in small field sizes was substantial.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.71-79
• /
• 1998

Purpose : The objective of this study is to introduce our installation of a non-commercial 3D Planning system, Plunc and confirm it's clinical applicability in various treatment situations. Materials and Methods : We obtained source codes of Plunc, offered by University of North Carolina and installed them on a Pentium Pro 200MHz (128MB RAM, Millenium VGA) with Linux operating system. To examine accuracy of dose distributions calculated by Plunc, we input beam data of 6MV Photon of our linear accelerator(Siemens MXE 6740) including tissue-maximum ratio, scatter-maximum ratio, attenuation coefficients and shapes of wedge filters. After then, we compared values of dose distributions(Percent depth dose; PDD, dose profiles with and without wedge filters, oblique incident beam, and dose distributions under air-gap) calculated by Plunc with measured values. Results : Plunc operated in almost real time except spending about 10 seconds in full volume dose distribution and dose-volume histogram(DVH) on the PC described above. As compared with measurements for irradiations of 90-cm 550 and 10-cm depth isocenter, the PDD curves calculated by Plunc did not exceed $1\%$ of inaccuracies except buildup region. For dose profiles with and without wedge filter, the calculated ones are accurate within $2\%$ except low-dose region outside irradiations where Plunc showed $5\%$ of dose reduction. For the oblique incident beam, it showed a good agreement except low dose region below $30\%$ of isocenter dose. In the case of dose distribution under air-gap, there was $5\%$ errors of the central-axis dose. Conclusion : By comparing photon dose calculations using the Plunc with measurements, we confirmed that Plunc showed acceptable accuracies about $2-5\%$ in typical treatment situations which was comparable to commercial planning systems using correction-based a1gorithms. Plunc does not have a function for electron beam planning up to the present. However, it is possible to implement electron dose calculation modules or more accurate photon dose calculation into the Plunc system. Plunc is shown to be useful to clear many limitations of 2D planning systems in clinics where a commercial 3D planning system is not available.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.30 no.1_2
• /
• pp.107-116
• /
• 2018

Purpose : Intensity-modulated radiation therapy(IMRT) has been widely used for radiation therapy of Prostate Cancer because it can reduce radiation adverse effects on normal tissues and deliver more dose to the Prostate than 3D radiation therapy. Volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT) has been widely used due to recent advances in equipment and treatment techniques. VMAT can reduce treatment time by up to 55 % compared to IMRT, minimizing motion error during treatment. Materials and Methods : In this study, compared the MU and DVH values of 10 patients with prostate cancer by classifying them into 4 groups with 5 LN-Prostate groups and 5 Only-Prostate. And DQA measurements were performed using ArcCHECK and MapCHECK. Results : The results of Target and OAR dose distribution of Prostate patients are as follows. $D_{max}$ was in the range of 100~110 % in 4 groups, and more than 110 % of hot spot was not seen. Only-Prostate ($P_1$, $P_2$) without LN had a satisfactory dose distribution for the target dose, but slightly better for 2 arc plan($P_2$) than 1 arc plan($P_1$). The target dose $D_{98%}$ distribution in the LN-Prostate ($P_{L1}$, $P_{L2}$) group showed better 2 arc plan($P_{L2}$) than 1 arc plan($P_{L1}$), But in the case of 1 arc plan($P_{L1}$), the target dose $D_{98%}$ value was not enough. In OAR, the dose distribution of 1 Arc($P_1$) Plan and 2 Arc($P_2$) Plan in the Only-Prostate ($P_1$, $P_2$) Group satisfied the prescribed dose value. But, The dose distribution of 1 arc($P_1$) was slightly higher. In LN-Prostate OAR, 1 Arc($P_{L1}$) Plan showed higher dose than the prescribed dose. The Gamma evaluation pass rate of ArcCHECK and MapCHECK calculated from the DQA measurements was slightly higher than 99 % and the mean error range of the point dose measurements using the CC04 ion chamber was less than 1 %. Conclusion : In this study, Only-Prostate ($P_1$, $P_2$) group, the dose of 2 Arc plan was better. However, considering the treatment time and MU value, 1 Arc treatment method was more suitable. In the LN-Prostate ($P_{L1}$, $P_{L2}$) group, 2 Arc($P_{L2}$) treatment method showed better results and satisfied with Target $D_{98%}$ and OAR prescription dose.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.133-140
• /
• 1999

In this paper, as a preliminary study for developing a full 3D electron dose calculation algorithm, We developed 2.5D electron dose calculation algorithm by extending 2D pencil-beam model to consider three dimensional geometry such as air-gap and obliquity appropriately. The dose calculation algorithm was implemented using the IDL5.2(Research Systems Inc., USA), For calculation of the Hogstrom's pencil-beam algorithm, the measured data of the central-axis depth-dose for 12 MeV(Siemens M6740) and the linear stopping power and the linear scattering power of water and air from ICRU report 35 was used. To evaluate the accuracy of the implemented program, we compared the calculated dose distribution with the film measurements in the three situations; the normal incident beam, the 45$^{\circ}$ oblique incident beam, and the beam incident on the pit-shaped phantom. As results, about 120 seconds had been required on the PC (Pentium III 450MHz) to calculate dose distribution of a single beam. It needs some optimizing methods to speed up the dose calculation. For the accuracy of dose calculation, in the case of the normal incident beam of the regular and irregular shaped field, at the rapid dose gradient region of penumbra, the errors were within $\pm$3 mm and the dose profiles were agreed within 5%. However, the discrepancy between the calculation and the measurement were about 10% for the oblique incident beam and the beam incident on the pit-shaped phantom. In conclusions, we expended 2D pencil-beam algorithm to take into account the three dimensional geometry of the patient. And also, as well as the dose calculation of irregular field, the irregular shaped body contour and the air-gap could be considered appropriately in the implemented program. In the near future, the more accurate algorithm will be implemented considering inhomogeneity correction using CT, and at that time, the program can be used as a tool for educational and research purpose. This study was supported by a grant (＃HMP-98-G-1-016) of the HAN(Highly Advanced National) Project, Ministry of Health & Welfare, R.O.K.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.11-15
• /
• 2008

Purpose: The goal of radiation treatment is to deliver a prescribed radiation dose to the target volume accurately while minimizing dose to normal tissues. In this paper, we comparing the dose distribution between three dimensional conformal radiation radiotherapy (3D-CRT) and helical tomotherapy (TOMO) plan for partial breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients were included in the study, and plans for two techniques were developed for each patient (left breast:10 patients, right breast:10 patients). For each patient 3D-CRT planning was using pinnacle planning system, inverse plan was made using Tomotherapy Hi-Art system and using the same targets and optimization goals. We comparing the Homogeneity index (HI), Conformity index (CI) and sparing of the organs at risk for dose-volume histogram. Results: Whereas the HI, CI of TOMO was significantly better than the other, 3D-CRT was observed to have significantly poorer HI, CI. The percentage ipsilateral non-PTV breast volume that was delivered 50% of the prescribed dose was 3D-CRT (mean: 40.4%), TOMO (mean: 18.3%). The average ipsilateral lung volume percentage receiving 20% of the PD was 3D-CRT (mean: 4.8%), TOMO (mean: 14.2), concerning the average heart volume receiving 20% and 10% of the PD during treatment of left breast cancer 3D-CRT (mean: 1.6%, 3.0%), TOMO (mean: 9.7%, 26.3%) Conclusion: In summary, 3D-CRT and TOMO techniques were found to have acceptable PTV coverage in our study. However, in TOMO, high conformity to the PTV and effective breast tissue sparing was achieved at the expense of considerable dose exposure to the lung and heart.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.33-39
• /
• 2010

Purpose: It is very important to confirm conformance of dose distribution that is formed with treatment planning from IMRS or IMRT. It has been a problem dropped accuracy and conformance when the field size is getting smaller because of character of the 2D ion chamber. Verification of MatriXX Phantom dose distribution with a change in the SAD. Dose distribution measurement and analysis to improve the accuracy and should be useful to evaluate the award. Materials and Methods: A use of Novalis linear accelerator 6 MV photon beams. In general, IMRS were 25 patients with small field size. The selected patients were divided into three groups on the basis of the field size. SAD was changed from 80 to 130 cm and field size to determine the dose distribution to the change, each dose was measured using MatriXX Phantom. Analysis of measured values obtained from the program for each patient through the treatment planning system comparison and analysis of the dose distribution and gamma values were expressed. Result: SAD 80, 100, and 120 cm in size in the gamma value to the investigation of patients less than $3\;cm^2$ average 0.939, 0.969, and 0.979, respectively. Patients with more than $5\;cm^2$ 0.962, 0.983, and 0.988, respectively. $5\;cm^2$ or more patients 0.982, 0.990, and 0.992, respectively. Conclusion: The error rate of less than $3\;cm^2$ field size is increased rapidly. If the field size is increased, resolution is increased by 2D ion chambers. It has been approved that it can be credible if it is around $3\;cm^2$ when measuring dose distribution using MatriXX. Adjusting geometric field size by changing SAD is likely to be very useful when you measure dose distribution using MatriXX.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.63-69
• /
• 1992

Recently, stereotactic radiosurgery plan is required with the information of 3-D image and dose distribution. The purpose of this research is to develop 3-D radiosurgery planning system using personal computer. The procedure of this research is based on three steps. The first step is to input the image information of the patient obtained from CT or MR scan into personal computer through on-line or digitizer. The position and shape of target are also transferred into computer using Angio or CT localization. The second step is to compute dose distribution on image plane, which is transformed into stereotactic frame coordinate. and to optimize dose distribution through the selection of optimal treatment parameters. The third step is to display both isodose distribution and patient image simultaneously using superimpose technique. This prototype of radiosurgery planning system was applied recently for several clinical cases. It was shown that our planning system is fast, accurate and efficient while making it possible to handle various kinds of image modelities such as angio, CT and MRI. It is also possible to develop 3-D planning system in radiation therapy using beam's eye view or CT simulation in future.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.81-90
• /
• 2012

The effect of setup uncertainties on CTV dose and the correlation between setup uncertainties and setup margin were evaluated by Monte Carlo based numerical simulation. Patient specific information of IMRT treatment plan for rectal cancer designed on the VARIAN Eclipse planning system was utilized for the Monte Carlo simulation program including the planned dose distribution and tumor volume information of a rectal cancer patient. The simulation program was developed for the purpose of the study on Linux environment using open source packages, GNU C++ and ROOT data analysis framework. All misalignments of patient setup were assumed to follow the central limit theorem. Thus systematic and random errors were generated according to the gaussian statistics with a given standard deviation as simulation input parameter. After the setup error simulations, the change of dose in CTV volume was analyzed with the simulation result. In order to verify the conventional margin recipe, the correlation between setup error and setup margin was compared with the margin formula developed on three dimensional conformal radiation therapy. The simulation was performed total 2,000 times for each simulation input of systematic and random errors independently. The size of standard deviation for generating patient setup errors was changed from 1 mm to 10 mm with 1 mm step. In case for the systematic error the minimum dose on CTV $D_{min}^{stat{\cdot}}$ was decreased from 100.4 to 72.50% and the mean dose $\bar{D}_{syst{\cdot}}$ was decreased from 100.45% to 97.88%. However the standard deviation of dose distribution in CTV volume was increased from 0.02% to 3.33%. The effect of random error gave the same result of a reduction of mean and minimum dose to CTV volume. It was found that the minimum dose on CTV volume $D_{min}^{rand{\cdot}}$ was reduced from 100.45% to 94.80% and the mean dose to CTV $\bar{D}_{rand{\cdot}}$ was decreased from 100.46% to 97.87%. Like systematic error, the standard deviation of CTV dose ${\Delta}D_{rand}$ was increased from 0.01% to 0.63%. After calculating a size of margin for each systematic and random error the "population ratio" was introduced and applied to verify margin recipe. It was found that the conventional margin formula satisfy margin object on IMRT treatment for rectal cancer. It is considered that the developed Monte-carlo based simulation program might be useful to study for patient setup error and dose coverage in CTV volume due to variations of margin size and setup error.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.219-228
• /
• 2012

The tangential breast intensity modulated radiotherapy (T-B IMRT) technique, which uses the same tangential fields as conventional 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) plans with physical wedges, was analyzed in terms of the calculated dose distribution feature and dosimetric accuracy of beam delivery during treatment. T-B IMRT plans were prepared for 15 patients with breast cancer who were already treated with conventional 3D-CRT. The homogeneity of the dose distribution to the target volume was improved, and the dose delivered to the normal tissues and critical organs was reduced compared with that in 3D-CRT plans. Quality assurance (QA) plans with the appropriate phantoms were used to analyze the dosimetric accuracy of T-B IMRT. An ionization chamber placed at the hole of an acrylic cylindrical phantom was used for the point dose measurement, and the mean error from the calculated dose was $0.7{\pm}1.4%$. The accuracy of the dose distribution was verified with a 2D diode detector array, and the mean pass rate calculated from the gamma evaluation was $97.3{\pm}2.9%$. We confirmed the advantages of a T-B IMRT in the dose distribution and verified the dosimetric accuracy from the QA performance which should still be regarded as an important process even in the simple technique as T-B IMRT in order to maintain a good quality.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.147-155
• /
• 2000

Patient dose verification is one of the most important parts in quality assurance of the treatment delivery for radiation therapy. The dose distributions may be meaningfully improved by modulating two dimensional intensity profile of the individual high energy radiation beams In this study, a new method is presented for the pre-treatment dosimetric verification of these two dimensional distributions of beam intensity by means of a charge coupled device video camera-based fluoroscopic device (henceforth called as CCD-VCFD) as a radiation detecter with a custom-made software for dose calculation from fluorescence signals. This system of dosimeter (CCD-VCFD) could reproduce three dimensional (3D) relative dose distribution from the digitized fluoroscopic signals for small (1.0$\times$1.0 cm$^2$ square, ø 1.0 cm circular ) and large (30$\times$30cm$^2$) field sizes used in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). For the small beam sizes of photon and electron, the calculations are performed In absolute beam fluence profiles which are usually used for calculation of the patient dose distribution. The good linearity with respect to the absorbed dose, independence of dose rate, and three dimensional profiles of small beams using the CCD-VCFD were demonstrated by relative measurements in high energy Photon (15 MV) and electron (9 MeV) beams. These measurements of beam profiles with CCD-VCFD show good agreement with those with other dosimeters such as utramicro-cylindrical (UC) ionization chamber and radiographic film. The study of the radiation dosimetric technique using CCD-VCFD may provide a fast and accurate pre-treatment verification tool for the small beam used in stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and can be used for verification of dose distribution from dynamic multi-leaf collimation system (DMLC).