PO26 Presentation Time: 7:40 AM: Dosimetry Accuracy of a Model-Based Dose Calculation Algorithm in Modeling a Novel Direction Modulated Brachytherapy Tandem Applicator for the Cervical Cancer

Abstract

<h3>Purpose</h3> A novel shielded tandem applicator for the direction modulated brachytherapy (DMBT) was previously introduced, which showed capability to improve the coverage of nonuniform targets and organs at risk in cervical cancer. This applicator has been recently modeled in a commercial treatment planning system (TPS - BrachyVision ACUROS^TM (BVA)), a Model based Dose Calculation algorithm (MBDCA), for the clinical research. In this study, we aim to benchmark the accuracy of the TPS in modeling the DMBT tandem using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. <h3>Materials and Methods</h3> The DMBT tandem applicator, made of an MR compatible tungsten alloy with six symmetrical grooves covered by a sheath of PEEK plastic, was simulated in GEANT4 MC code. Subsequently, two scenarios were created using the BVA TPS and reproduced by GEANT4 MC simulations, including ‘source at the center of the water phantom' and ‘source at the middle of the applicator' for the cubical phantoms with dimensions of (20 cm)³, (30 cm)³, and (40 cm)³. A track length estimator (TLE) was then utilized to estimate the dose deposited inside the water phantoms and 2D/3D scoring were performed. Volumetric dose comparisons of the TPS against MC results were further implemented. <h3>Results</h3> There were different level of agreements between the TPS and MC results for the different phantom sizes. The best agreement, however, was achieved for the phantom (40 cm)³, such that the dose difference fell in the intervals [0% 8.5%] and [-6.5% 6.5%] in 95% of the voxels, for the ‘source at the center of the water phantom' and ‘source at the middle of the applicator', respectively. In addition, the dose difference was within for all phantoms, within 5 cm from the center of the HDR sources. <h3>Conclusions</h3> The results of this study indicated that the accuracy of the TPS in dose calculation depends on the phantom size. Nevertheless, it seems the TPS could still provide satisfactory accuracy inside the area of clinical importance.