Year
2012
Degree Name
Master of Science - Research
Department
Faculty of Engineering
Recommended Citation
Baldwin, Zoe, Commissioning of a new total body irradiation protocol, Master of Science - Research thesis, Faculty of Engineering, University of Wollongong, 2012. https://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/3756
Abstract
The current planning process for adult Total Body Irradiation (TBI) using the PLATO 2D treatment planning system (TPS) at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital is cumbersome; it does not adequately simulate the treatment technique and a basic manual calculation is used to account for the effects of heterogeneities. A new treatment delivery technique is proposed; this thesis addresses the commissioning of this new regimen, including the acquisition of dosimetric data under treatment conditions to quantify the accuracy achievable by performing dose calculations using Oncentra MasterPlan TPS for this new treatment technique.
Two treatment planning calculation algorithms (a pencil beam and a collapsed cone) and a total of five separate beam models (four of which were formulated specifically for TBI) were examined. Comparisons were made between calculated and measured data, which include percentage depth dose (PDD) values, profiles, an output factor, doses within homogeneous waterequivalent phantoms and doses within anthropomorphic phantoms.
Unless otherwise indicated, the views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the University of Wollongong.