AAPM TG-43 formalism for brachytherapy dose calculation of a 137Cs tube source

Med Phys. 2004 Apr;31(4):755-9. doi: 10.1118/1.1650564.

Abstract

We present a development of the use of the AAPM TG-43 dose formalism applied to 137Cs gynecological implant sources. The geometry factor, radial dose function, and anisotropy function of a 137Cs source modeled after the Nuclear Associates 67-809 series stainless steel jacketed tube source were derived following the AAPM TG-43 formalism. The dose rate distribution through the center of the source using the AAPM TG-43 dose formalism is calculated and compared with the calculations obtained using the Sievert summation and Monte Carlo simulation. The three methods resulted in an agreement within less than 5%, or an isodose rate line agreement within 2 mm. We demonstrate that the AAPM TG-43 formalism can be applied to 137Cs linear sources and is capable of serving as a 137Cs dose calculation algorithm that can be used for treatment planning purpose.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Guideline
  • Practice Guideline
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Brachytherapy / instrumentation
  • Brachytherapy / methods*
  • Brachytherapy / standards*
  • Cesium Radioisotopes / standards
  • Cesium Radioisotopes / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Genital Neoplasms, Female / radiotherapy*
  • Humans
  • Nuclear Medicine / standards
  • Radiometry / methods*
  • Radiometry / standards
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / standards
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / therapeutic use
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / standards*
  • Societies, Scientific / standards
  • United States

Substances

  • Cesium Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals