The 5th International Conference on Radiotherapy Gel Dosimetry (DOSGEL 2008)

Abstract

The International Conference on Radiotherapy Gel Dosimetry (DOSGEL) is held every two years. Its purpose is to bring together basic science and clinical researchers, medical physicists and clinicians from around the world to discuss the state-of-the-art of the gel dosimetry technique and to set the directions and trends for its future improvements.Gel dosimetry can be broadly defined as using a gel that can react to the absorption of ionizing radiation, and that can retain this information which can subsequently be retrieved by an external imaging modality. Examples of radiation-sensitive gels include, but are not limited to, polymer gel dosimeters, Fricke gel dosimeters and others. Imaging modalities that are of general use in this field are (in alphabetical order) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), optical light computed tomography and x-ray computed tomography.This volume comprises the proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Radiotherapy Gel Dosimetry (DOSGEL 2008). The conference, organised by the University of Crete, Medical Physics Department, took place in Hersonissos, Crete, Greece from 29 September to 3 October 2008. The meeting aimed to continue the series of biannual DOSGEL conferences and focused on the promotion of gel dosimetry techniques by setting the trends for their future improvements.The main scientific session topics of DOSGEL 2008 were the following: Chemistry and fundamental properties of polymer gel dosimeters Gel dosimetry with Optical Computed Tomography Gel dosimetry with Magnetic Resonance Imaging Gel dosimetry with other than Optical CT and MR scan Techniques Other 3D dosimeters Gel dosimetry applications Local Organizing Committee Thomas G Maris (University of Crete, Greece, Chairman DOSGEL 2008) John Damilakis (University of Crete, Greece) Evangelos Pappas (University of Crete, Greece) Antonios Papadakis (University of Crete, Greece) Fotini Zacharopoulou (University of Crete, Greece) John Stratakis (University of Crete, Greece) Pantelis Karaiskos (University of Athens, Greece) Panos Papagiannis (University of Athens, Greece) Scientific Committee President: Yves De Deene (Ghent University, Belgium) Sven Back (Lund University, Sweden) Clive Baldock (University of Sydney, Australia) David Bonnett (Kent Oncology Center, UK) Simon Doran (University of Surrey, UK) Cheryl Duzenli (University of British Columbia, Canada) Geoffrey Ibbott (Colorado State University, USA) Andrew Jirasek (University of Victoria, Canada) Kevin Jordan (University of Western Ontario, Canada) Martin Lepage (Universite de Sherbrooke, Canada) Mark Oldham (Duke University, USA) L John Schreiner (Kingston Regional Cancer Centre, Canada) Acknowledgements The local organising committee wishes to express its gratitude to all participants for their activities at DOSGEL 2008 and for creating such a friendly and inspiring environment. Special thanks are due to all the speakers, for preparing and presenting their talks, and for many valuable discussions. We also give thanks to all members of the scientific committee who, acting as referees, improved significantly the scientific quality of this proceedings volume. We would also like to thank all chairmen for their efficient leading of sessions. On Behalf of the local organizing committee of DOSGEL 2008 Thomas G Maris and Evangelos Pappas Editors