
Validation of dosimetric field matching accuracy from proton therapy using a robotic patient positioning system
Author(s) -
Farr Jonathan B.,
O'RyanBlair Avril,
Jesseph Frederick,
Hsi WenChien,
Allgower Chris E.,
Mascia Anthony E.,
Thornton Allan F.,
Schreuder Andreas N.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of applied clinical medical physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.83
H-Index - 48
ISSN - 1526-9914
DOI - 10.1120/jacmp.v11i2.3015
Subject(s) - proton therapy , proton , matching (statistics) , radiation treatment planning , beam (structure) , medical physics , field (mathematics) , computer science , optics , physics , nuclear medicine , radiation therapy , radiology , medicine , mathematics , nuclear physics , statistics , pure mathematics
Large area, shallow fields are well suited to proton therapy. However, due to beam production limitations, such volumes typically require multiple matched fields. This is problematic due to the relatively narrow beam penumbra at shallow depths compared to electron and photon beams. Therefore, highly accurate dose planning and delivery is required. As the dose delivery includes shifting the patient for matched fields, accuracy at the 1–2 millimeter level in patient positioning is also required. This study investigates the dosimetric accuracy of such proton field matching by an innovative robotic patient positioner system (RPPS). The dosimetric comparisons were made between treatment planning system calculations, radiographic film and ionization chamber measurements. The results indicated good agreement amongst the methods and suggest that proton field matching by a RPPS is accurate and efficient. PACS number: 87.55.km