Commissioning Experience of a Medical Linear Accelerator in a Low-Resource Setting in Sub-Saharan Africa

With increasing cancer incidence in Africa, a number of Sub-Saharan African countries have started implementing radiotherapy programs based on linear accelerator (linac) technology. This work summarizes the commissioning experience commercially available medical linac installed resource-limited oncology centre Cameroon for delivery high-quality radiation treatments to patients central Africa. is country Using 2D water phantom and various ionization chambers, we measured data with 6X 18X photon beams, five electron energies ranging from 6–20 MeV. Relative measurements included percent depth doses (PDDs), beam profiles, scatter factors, wedge cone factors. Absolute calibrations were performed using American Association Physicist Medicine Task Group Report 51. Accurate checked by irradiating mailed thermoluminescent dosimeters service offered MD Anderson Cancer Center. Photon PDDs agreed within 1% average several linacs same type at depths between 5 20 cm, which are consistent used manufacturer acceptance testing. For electrons, agreement was 2 mm R50, R90, Rp, dmax. Symmetry flatness all beams 2% fields. All absolute met Center criteria 3%. presents successful implementation modernization program technology sub-region As first operational sub-region, can provide comparison other future ensure machine clinical use.