Program Information

Clinical Implementation for Advanced Brachytherapy Dose Calculation Algorithms Beyond the TG-43 Formalism

R Thomson

F Ballester

L Beaulieu

R Thomson¹*, F Ballester²*, L Beaulieu³*, (1) Carleton Univ, Ottawa, ON, (2) University of Valencia, Burjassot, ,(3) Centre Hospitalier Univ de Quebec, Quebec, QC

TU-E-116-1 Tuesday 2:00PM - 2:55PM Room: 116

With the recent introduction of heterogeneity correction algorithms for brachytherapy, the AAPM community is still unclear on how to commission and implement these into clinical practice. The recently-published AAPM TG-186 report discusses important issues for clinical implementation of these algorithms. In this practical medical physics course, specific examples on how to perform the commissioning process are presented, as well as descriptions of the clinical impact from recent literature reporting comparisons of TG-43 and heterogeneity-based dosimetry. A proposed commissioning flowchart will be discussed, guiding the audience through the clinical process. Further, QA tests specific to these new heterogeneity correction algorithms for brachytherapy will be explained. Potential changes in brachytherapy dose prescriptions will be discussed, with pitfalls identified to minimize likelihood for errors.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify key clinical applications needing advanced dose calculation in brachytherapy.
2. Review TG-186 guidelines, commission process, and dosimetry benchmarks.
3. Evaluate clinical cases using a commercially available system and compare to TG-43 dosimetry


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