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| Author(s): |
Fernanda Ferretti de Oliveira
Total Authors: 1
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| Document type: | Master's Dissertation |
| Press: | Ribeirão Preto. |
| Institution: | Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC) |
| Defense date: | 2012-12-21 |
| Examining board members: |
Thomaz Ghilardi Netto;
Letícia Lucente Campos Rodrigues;
Ricardo Andrade Terini
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| Advisor: | Thomaz Ghilardi Netto |
| Abstract | |
Introduction: Radiation therapy is often used in cancer treatment, either as a single modality or in combination with other modalities, such as surgery and chemotherapy. Aiming to eliminate unwanted cells in the human body, radiation therapy uses ionizing radiation to cause destruction of tumor cells by absorbing the energy of the incident radiation. The main difficulty in radiation therapy is that tumor cells are not separately treated. The radiation damage is not restricted solely to tumor cells, but also affects normal cells. Therefore, it is essential that the radiation dose released in normal tissues is as low as possible to minimize the risk of side effects caused by radiotherapy treatments. Objectives: The objective of this work is the characterization of semiconductor dosimeters and thermoluminescent dosimeters and their applications in non -conventional radiotherapy techniques. After characterization it will be possible to implement the dosimeters as a system of in vivo dosimetry in radiotherapy with photon beam, to meet the pressing needs of the Radiotherapy Service of HCFMRP in deploying the technique of total body irradiation and make the control of dose administered to the patient . Methodology and Results: Semiconductor diodes were characterized according to the field factor, angle, dose rate, temperature and tray factor to obtain the correction factors. It was found that the variation of the response of the diodes with temperature, angle and dose rate was not significant. Field factors were calculated and recorded for fields from 3x3 cm 2 to 40x40cm 2 , wher e there was an increase in the reading of the diode with increasing field. The response with dose rate showed small variation (from 100cGy/min to 300cGy/min the variation was less than 1.2%). The tray factor was 0.95 ± 0.01 demonstrating that the tray decreases detector response. After characterization, the diodes were calibrated in TBI setup for determining the calibration factors for each simulated patient thickness (latero-lateral distance). The in vivo dosimetry was performed in 3 patients undergoing TBI treatment in HCFMRP. The maximum percentage difference between the measurements and the diode nominal dose was 3.6%, which is consistent with that recommended by ICRU (+ / - 5%). The results demonstrate the feasibility and reliability of the dosimetry technique with semiconductor diodes for dose quality control in TBI treatments. Still, dosimeters were characterized by group homogeneity and linearity. The calibration factors were found and individual dosimeters were applied in simulations with TBI setup. The dose calculation of simulations performed with the thermoluminescent inserted in holes of the phantom showed agreement with the nominal dose. For regions of the upper and lower thorax where TLD received higher doses (> 150cGy) it was recommended the use of compensating dose in clinic. An ionization chamber dosimeter was used as reference in all stages of calibration and characterization of diodes and thermoluminescents. Conclusions: This study showed that, for total body irradiation treatments, when the patient is being prepared for a bone marrow transplant, and planning requires a great effect on the dose distribution, the methodology with semiconductor dosimeters presented a viable alternative, and has great importance for the dosimetric control. The study proved the importance of diode semiconductors for quality control, for evaluation of the dose to be administered to the patient, at least throughout the first fraction of TBI treating. Furthermore, it was demonstrated the applicability of TLD for control quality, demonstrating the value of thermoluminescent dosimetry as a dose verification system and its effectiveness as part of a program of quality assurance in radiotherapy. The characterization of thermoluminescent showed the possibility of applying the TL technique in in vivo dosimetry. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 10/13388-9 - Characterization of semiconductor dosimeters and thermoluminescents dosimeters for use in total body Irradiation treatments |
| Grantee: | Fernanda Ferretti de Oliveira |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Master |