Long-term stability of a three-dimensional dose verification system.

Abstract

Recently, the number of patients undergoing intensity-modulated radiation therapy and volumetric modulated arc therapy has increased with the expansion of the adaptation site. However, it is necessary to improve the efficiency of time-consuming dose verification. Therefore, patient-specific quality assurance is expected to shift from dose verification using a conventional ionization chamber dosimeter and film to a three-dimensional dose verification system. However, caution is required when using a three-dimensional dose verification system, especially when it comes to the calibration of the detector. Calibration is performed regularly, but not all necessary verifications are done routinely. There are many uncertainties on how the sensitivity of the three-dimensional dose verification system changes over time. In this study, on the same day, when dose verification using a three-dimensional system for one head and neck case was performed, dose verification using a conventional ionization chamber dosimeter and film was also performed once every two months, for 2years. From the results of the absolute dose and dose distribution verification using the ionization chamber dosimeter and Gafchromic film, the output of the linear accelerator, mechanical accuracy and precision were secured. From the results of the three-dimensional dose verification system, when the distance to agreement was evaluated at 2mm and 3mm, and gamma analysis was performed at 2mm/2% and 3mm/3%, the passing rate was almost 100%, and a sensitivity change in 2years was not observed.