Feasibility study for dose calculation with a radiation treatment planning system using a fixed-size electron cone applicator for small electron fields

Su Chul Han, Min Cheol Han, Jihun Kim, Heerim Nam, Jin Sung Kim and Kwangwoo Park

PLOS ONE, 2025, vol. 20, issue 8, 1-17

Abstract: Objective: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of radiation treatment planning using a commercial treatment planning system (TPS) for small fixed-size electron cone electron applicators not natively supported by the TPS. Methods: Dosimetric characteristics, including beam profiles and output factors (OFs), were compared between a 6 MeV electron beam collimated by a small fixed-size electron cone applicator and a cerrobend cutout-based general applicator. Measurements were performed using a micro-diamond detector in a water phantom for field sizes of 2, 3, 4, and 5 cm. The monitor units (MUs) from the TPS were compared with direct measurements. To estimate the MU for the fixed-size electron cone applicator using the TPS, the relative OFs were defined as the ratio of the OFs for the fixed-size electron cone and general applicators. Dose distributions obtained from the TPS were validated against measurements using Gafchromic films, ensuring accuracy. Results: Gamma analysis showed a passing rate >95% with 1%/1 mm criteria for depth dose comparisons and >99% with 2%/2 mm criteria for beam profiles. The general applicator’s OFs were consistently higher across all measured field sizes. The MU difference between the TPS and measurements was within 2.0%, while the difference between indirect TPS calculations and direct measurements for the fixed-size electron cone applicator remained within 1.0%. Dose distribution analysis showed >99% agreement (3%/3 mm) between the 2D dose distribution obtained using film in the fixed-size electron cone applicator and that calculated by the TPS of cerrobend cutout-based applicator. Conclusion: The results demonstrate the feasibility of calculating monitor units and dose distributions for small fixed-size electron cone applicators using a commercial TPS combined with relative output factors. This approach offers a reliable method for dose calculation in specialized electron therapy applications.

Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0324722

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0324722

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