The use of diode dosimetry in quality improvement of patient care in radiation therapy

Doracy P. Fontenla, Ravindra Yaparpalvi, Chen Shou Chui, Edith Briot

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to improve the quality of patient care in radiation therapy by implementing a comprehensive quality assurance (QA) program aiming to enhance patient in vivo dosimetry on a routine basis. The characteristics of two commercially available semi-conductor diode dosimetry systems were evaluated. The diodes were calibrated relative to an ionization chamber-electrometer system with calibrations traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Correction factors of clinical relevance were quantified to convert the diode readings into patient dose. The results of dose measurements on 6 patients undergoing external beam radiation therapy for carcinoma of the prostate on three different therapy units are presented. Field shaping during treatments was accomplished either by multileaf collimation or by cerrobend blocking. A deviation of less than ±4% between the measured and prescribed patient doses was observed. The results indicate that the diodes exhibit excellent linearity, dose reproducibility, minimal anisotropy, and can be used with confidence for patient dose verification. Furthermore, diodes render real time verification of dose delivered to patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)235-241
Number of pages7
JournalMedical Dosimetry
Volume21
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1996
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Diode dosimetry
  • External beam radiation therapy
  • In-vivo dosimetry
  • Prostate carcinoma
  • QA of patient care

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
  • Oncology
  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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