Development of methods for determination of dose distribution in IMRT treatments

Aim of the study

The aim is to develop a suitable method (dosimeter and measurement phantom) for the verification of dose distributions in prostata treatments by IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy). The project is a part of the European Metrology Research Programme (EMRP) (”External Beam Cancer Therapy”), aiming at developing metrology and dosimetry for modern external beam radiotherapy techniques.

Implementation

The measurement methods selected and tested at the standard dosimetry laboratories within this project will be tested with the practical IMRT radiotherapy beams. In particular, the use of radiochromic film (GafChromic) in the measurements and the materials and construction of an applicable phantom will be tested. The dose distributions obtained with different methods will be compared with each other and with those calculated by the Monte Carlo techniques, for selected prostata treatments with the IMRT beams. The results will also be compared with those obtained by the treatment planning systems. The evaluation of the suitability of the methods will be based on the estimation of the uncertainties and the general feasibility of the methods, obtained both in the laboratory testing and in the measurements with the clinical IMRT beams. STUK acts as a leading partner for the work package dealing with the practical testing of the methods.

Dissemination and exploitation of the results

The results will be published in project reports and in international journals. The results will also be presented at international meetings associated with the project and in other international conferences of the field. The project will provide a method for the verification of dose distributions in the IMRT treatments and information on the accuracy and reliability of the methods of measurement for the use of the regulatory control of external beam therapy.

Collaborators

Laboratoire National Henry Becqurel, LNHB, France; Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt, PTB, Germany (Coordinator); Ente per le Nuove tecnologie, l'Energia e l'Ambiente, ENEA, Italy; Instituto Nazionale de Ricerca Metrologica, INRIM, Italy; NMi Van Swindon Laboratorium, NMi, The Netherlands; Instituto Tecnológico e Nuclear, ITN, Portugal; Slovak Institute of Metrology, SMU, Slovak Republic; Ulusal Metroloji Enstitüsü, UME, Turkey and National Physical Laboratory, NPL, UK.

Timetable

2008–2011

Responsible scientist

Antti Kosunen

Page updated 01/06/2009