Current state of the art brachytherapy treatment planning dosimetry algorithms

Br J Radiol. 2014 Sep;87(1041):20140163. doi: 10.1259/bjr.20140163. Epub 2014 Jul 16.

Abstract

Following literature contributions delineating the deficiencies introduced by the approximations of conventional brachytherapy dosimetry, different model-based dosimetry algorithms have been incorporated into commercial systems for (192)Ir brachytherapy treatment planning. The calculation settings of these algorithms are pre-configured according to criteria established by their developers for optimizing computation speed vs accuracy. Their clinical use is hence straightforward. A basic understanding of these algorithms and their limitations is essential, however, for commissioning; detecting differences from conventional algorithms; explaining their origin; assessing their impact; and maintaining global uniformity of clinical practice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Brachytherapy / standards*
  • Humans
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Radiometry
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted*