Nanoparticle dose enhancement of synchrotron radiation in PRESAGE dosimeters.

The physical absorbed dose enhancement by the inclusion of gold and bismuth nanoparticles fabricated into water-equivalent PRESAGE dosimeters was investigated. Nanoparticle-loaded water-equivalent PRESAGE dosimeters were irradiated with superficial, synchrotron and megavoltage X-ray beams. The change in optical density of the dosimeters was measured using UV-Vis spectrophotometry pre- and post-irradiation using a wavelength of 630 nm.

Samarium doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles as theranostic agents in radiation therapy.

Purpose: Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO NPs) have been investigated for their role as radiosensitisers for radiation therapy. The study aims to increase the efficiency of these NPs by synthesising them with samarium.

Methods: Samarium-doped TiO NPs (Ti(Sm)O NPs) were synthesised using a solvothermal method.

Dose response and stability of water equivalent PRESAGE dosimeters for synchrotron radiation therapy dosimetry.

This research investigated the dose response and post-irradiation stability of water-equivalent PRESAGE dosimeters exposed to synchrotron radiation. Water-equivalent PRESAGE dosimeters were irradiated up to 1000 Gy in a synchrotron x-ray beam with a mean energy of 95.3 keV.

Application of the 'Spiking' method to the measurement of low dose radiation (≤ 1Gy) using alanine dosimeters.

Alanine dosimeters are limited in radiotherapy by poor sensitivity at low doses (< 5Gy). A set of alanine dosimeters were 'spiked' with a large dose of radiation, (~30Gy, 6MV X-rays) and additional doses ranging between 0.5 and 10Gy.

Water equivalent PRESAGE for synchrotron radiation therapy dosimetry.

Purpose: Synchrotron Radiation Therapy techniques are currently being trialed and commissioned at synchrotrons around the world. The patient treatment planning systems (TPS) developed for these treatments use simulated data of the synchrotron x-ray beam to produce the dosimetry in the treatment plan. The purpose of this study was to investigate a water equivalent PRESAGE dosimeter capable of 3D dosimetry over an energy range suitable for synchrotron x-ray beams.

High resolution 3D imaging of synchrotron generated microbeams.

Purpose: Microbeam radiation therapy (MRT) techniques are under investigation at synchrotrons worldwide. Favourable outcomes from animal and cell culture studies have proven the efficacy of MRT. The aim of MRT researchers currently is to progress to human clinical trials in the near future.

Testing the Assessment of New Radiation Oncology Technology and Treatments framework using the evaluation of post-prostatectomy radiotherapy techniques.

Introduction: We tested the ability of the Assessment of New Radiation Oncology Technology and Treatments framework to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) compared with 3-dimensional radiation therapy (3DCRT) for post-prostatectomy radiation therapy (PPRT) to support its timely health economic evaluation.

Methods: Treatment plans produced using FROGG guidelines provided dosimetry parameters for both techniques at 64 Gy and 70 Gy and were also used to model early and late outcome probabilities. Clinical parameters were derived from early toxicity and quality of life patient data, systematic literature review and expert opinion.

Characterising an aluminium oxide dosimetry system.

In vivo dosimetry is recommended as a defence-in-depth strategy in radiotherapy treatments and is currently employed by clinics around the world. The characteristics of a new optically stimulated luminescence dosimetry system were investigated for the purpose of replacing an aging thermoluminescence dosimetry system for in vivo dosimetry. The stability of the system was not sufficient to satisfy commissioning requirements and therefore it has not been released into clinical service at this time.

Dose variations caused by setup errors in intracranial stereotactic radiotherapy: a PRESAGE study.

Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) requires tight margins around the tumor, thus producing a steep dose gradient between the tumor and the surrounding healthy tissue. Any setup errors might become clinically significant. To date, no study has been performed to evaluate the dosimetric variations caused by setup errors with a 3-dimensional dosimeter, the PRESAGE.

Effect of intensity-modulated pelvic radiotherapy on second cancer risk in the postoperative treatment of endometrial and cervical cancer.

Purpose: To estimate and compare intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) in terms of second cancer risk (SCR) for postoperative treatment of endometrial and cervical cancer.

Methods And Materials: To estimate SCR, the organ equivalent dose concept with a linear-exponential, a plateau, and a linear dose-response model was applied to dose distributions, calculated in a planning computed tomography scan of a 68-year-old woman. Three plans were computed: four-field 18-MV 3DCRT and nine-field IMRT with 6- and 18-MV photons.

The effect of intensity-modulated radiotherapy on radiation-induced second malignancies.

Purpose: To compare intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) in terms of carcinogenic risk for actual clinical scenarios.

Method And Materials: Clinically equivalent IMRT plans were generated for prostate, breast, and head-and-neck cases treated with 3D-CRT. Two possible dose-response models for radiocarcinogenesis were generated based on A-bomb survivor data corrected for fractionation.