Characterisation of in-room leakage and scattered radiation for the Varian Halcyon linear accelerator.

Unintended sources of secondary radiation resulting from photon beams in linear accelerators are patient scatter, collimator scatter, scatter from surfaces within the bunker, and head leakage. This work characterises the in-room leakage and scattered radiation for the Varian Halcyon linear accelerator. Scattered and leakage radiation for static gantry angles 0°, 45°, and 90° and largest field size 28 × 28 cm2 were measured with an ionisation chamber survey meter at a radial distance of 1.5 m from the isocentre. The scatter within the treatment room was characterised with isocontour maps from measurements of 360° arc deliveries with the largest field size 28 × 28 cm2 at various heights and distances from the isocentre. The transmission through the primary beam stopper was measured with a Farmer ionisation chamber. For static gantry angles, instantaneous dose rate readings were typically around 70 mSv/hr at 1.5 m from the isocentre with lower dose rates at room angles adjacent to the gantry. The head leakage was measured as less than 0.03% of the useful beam. In a full 360° arc, the radiation dose around the Halcyon was coldest in lateral areas, with hotter areas behind and in front of the gantry. The primary beam stopper transmission was measured as 0.019%, reducing the requirement of primary barriers in the shielding design by a factor of 1/500. The results presented in this study can be used to determine the out-of-field dose to patients and to inform bunker shielding designs for Halcyon linear accelerators.

Successful implementation of image-guided radiation therapy quality assurance in the Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group 08.01 PROFIT Study.

PURPOSE: The quality assurance (QA) of image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) within clinical trials is in its infancy, but its importance will continue to grow as IGRT becomes the standard of care. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of IGRT QA as part of the credentialing process for a clinical trial. METHODS AND MATERIALS: As part of the accreditation process for a randomized trial in prostate cancer hypofraction, IGRT benchmarking across multiple sites was incorporated. Each participating site underwent IGRT credentialing via a site visit. In all centers, intraprostatic fiducials were used. A real-time assessment of analysis of IGRT was performed using Varian's Offline Review image analysis package. Two-dimensional (2D) kV and MV electronic portal imaging prostate patient datasets were used, consisting of 39 treatment verification images for 2D/2D comparison with the digitally reconstructed radiograph derived from the planning scan. The influence of differing sites, image modality, and observer experience on IGRT was then assessed. RESULTS: Statistical analysis of the mean mismatch errors showed that IGRT analysis was performed uniformly regardless of institution, therapist seniority, or imaging modality across the three orthogonal planes. CONCLUSIONS: The IGRT component of clinical trials that include sophisticated planning and treatment protocols must undergo stringent QA. The IGRT technique of intraprostatic fiducials has been shown in the context of this trial to be undertaken in a uniform manner across Australia. Extending this concept to many sites with different equipment and IGRT experience will require a robust remote credentialing process.