This paper illustrates the need for validating the calculation of monitor units as part of the process of commissioning a photon beam model in a radiation treatment planning system. Examples are provided in which this validation identified subtle errors, either in the dose model or in the implementation of the dose algorithm. These errors would not have been detected if the commissioning proces...

background: most of the current brachytherapy treatment planning systems (tps) use the tg-43u1 recommendations for dosimetry in water phantom, not considering the heterogeneity effects. objective: the purpose of this study is developing a method for obtaining correction factors for heterogeneity for cs-137 brachytherapy sources based on pre-calculated mc simulations and interpolation. method: t...

PURPOSE Produce a collection of software tools (computer programs) that support three-dimensional (3D) radiation therapy planning. The tools are not a complete 3D planning system. Instead, they work with any 3D planning system that meets certain minimal specifications. The tools assist in deriving anatomic data from images, generating target volume contours, evaluating treatment plans, and veri...

OBJECTIVES To reduce treatment planning times while maintaining plan quality through the introduction of semi-automated planning techniques for breast radiotherapy. METHODS Automatic critical structure delineation was examined using the Smart Probabilistic Image Contouring Engine (SPICE) commercial autosegmentation software (Philips Radiation Oncology Systems, Fitchburg, WI) for a cohort of t...

The process for validating dose-volume histogram data in brachytherapy software is presented as a supplement to a previously published article. Included is the DVH accuracy evaluation of the Best NOMOS treatment planning system called "Best TPS VolumePlan." As done previously in other software, a rectangular cuboid was contoured in the treatment planning system. A single radioactive 125I source...

TRiP98 is a treatment planning program for heavy ion radiotherapy[1] with a scanned ion beam and was developed at GSI[2]. It has been successfully used in clinical routine from 1997-2008 for over 400 patients, predominantly with head and neck tumors[3]. The treatment of mobile tumors, such as lung tumors, with a scanned ion beam poses additional challenges, resulting into a higher complexity of...

PURPOSE To outline the evolution of computerized brachytherapy treatment planning in the United States through a review of technological developments and clinical practice refinements. MATERIAL AND METHODS A literature review was performed and interviews were conducted with six participants in the development of computerized treatment planning for brachytherapy. RESULTS Computerized brachyt...