The dependency of wedge factors on field size and depth in megavoltage beams. 1996

J S Avadhani, and A S Pradhan, and A Sankar, and P S Viswanathan
Department of Medical Physics, Tata Memorial Hospital, Bombay, India.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the variation of wedge factors on field size, depth on 2 types of telecobalt units and 3 types of medical linear accelerators and to make a simplified approach for day to day calculation procedure. METHODS A 0.125 cm3 ion chamber was used to determine the wedge factors which is connected to the computer controlled radiation field analyser. The wedge factors were determined for field sizes varying from 5 x 5 cm to the maximum square field size available for each wedge angles and at multiple depths upto 25 cm of respective teletherapy units. The results obtained are fitted to a second degree polynomial function. RESULTS There is no significant variation of wedge factor on field size for all the 3 linear accelerators. The wedge factors are found to vary mainly at larger depths and wedge angles. The variation of wedge factors for 2 types of cobalt units were similar and increase of 3%, 4% and 5.5% is observed for wedge angles 30 degrees, 45 degrees and 60 degrees respectively with respect of depth of maximum build-up. The trend was similar for linear accelerators with maximum increase in wedge factor up to 7.5% for 60 degrees wedge angle at 25 cm depth for 6 MV photon beams. CONCLUSIONS The determination of wedge factors at various field sizes and depths is essential to ensure accurate dose delivery. With experimental wedge data fitted with second degree polynomial function is a simplified and alternative method which can be adopted for routine dosimetric calculations.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008962 Models, Theoretical Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of systems, processes, or phenomena. They include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Experimental Model,Experimental Models,Mathematical Model,Model, Experimental,Models (Theoretical),Models, Experimental,Models, Theoretic,Theoretical Study,Mathematical Models,Model (Theoretical),Model, Mathematical,Model, Theoretical,Models, Mathematical,Studies, Theoretical,Study, Theoretical,Theoretical Model,Theoretical Models,Theoretical Studies
D010315 Particle Accelerators Devices which accelerate electrically charged atomic or subatomic particles, such as electrons, protons or ions, to high velocities so they have high kinetic energy. Betatrons,Linear Accelerators,Accelerator, Linear,Accelerator, Particle,Accelerators, Linear,Accelerators, Particle,Betatron,Linear Accelerator,Particle Accelerator
D011867 Radioisotope Teletherapy A type of high-energy radiotherapy using a beam of gamma-radiation produced by a radioisotope source encapsulated within a teletherapy unit. Teleradioisotope Therapy,Teletherapy, Radioisotope,Therapy, Teleradioisotope
D011879 Radiotherapy Dosage The total amount of radiation absorbed by tissues as a result of radiotherapy. Dosage, Radiotherapy,Dosages, Radiotherapy,Radiotherapy Dosages
D011880 Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted Computer-assisted mathematical calculations of beam angles, intensities of radiation, and duration of irradiation in radiotherapy. Computer-Assisted Radiotherapy Planning,Dosimetry Calculations, Computer-Assisted,Planning, Computer-Assisted Radiotherapy,Calculation, Computer-Assisted Dosimetry,Calculations, Computer-Assisted Dosimetry,Computer Assisted Radiotherapy Planning,Computer-Assisted Dosimetry Calculation,Computer-Assisted Dosimetry Calculations,Dosimetry Calculation, Computer-Assisted,Dosimetry Calculations, Computer Assisted,Planning, Computer Assisted Radiotherapy,Radiotherapy Planning, Computer Assisted
D003037 Cobalt Radioisotopes Unstable isotopes of cobalt that decay or disintegrate emitting radiation. Co atoms with atomic weights of 54-64, except 59, are radioactive cobalt isotopes. Radioisotopes, Cobalt
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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