Design of experiments in medical physics: Application to the AAA beam model validation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of the design of experiments in the analysis of multiparametric problems related to the quality assurance in radiotherapy. The main motivation is to use this statistical method to optimize the quality assurance processes in the validation of beam models.

Method: Considering the Varian Eclipse system, eight parameters with several levels were selected: energy, MLC, depth, X, Y and Y jaw dimensions, wedge and wedge jaw.

DEMAT: A multi-institutional dosimetry audit of rotational and static intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Purpose: Static beam intensity-modulated-radiation-therapy (IMRT) and/or Volumetric-Modulated-Arc-Therapy (VMAT) are now available in many regional radiotherapy departments. The aim of this multi-institutional audit was to design a new methodology based on radiochromic films to perform an independent quality control.

Methods: A set of data were sent to all participating centres for two clinical localizations: prostate and Head and Neck (H&N) cancers.

[Dosimetric study of the different techniques to deal with respiratory motion for lung stereotactic radiotherapy].

Purpose: To evaluate the different respiratory movement management techniques during irradiation of lung tumours.

Patients And Methods: Seven patients with one or more primary or secondary lung lesions less than 5 cm (11 tumours in total) had three computed tomographies (CT): free-breathing, deep-inspiration breath-hold using a spirometer, and 4-dimensional (4D). From these three acquisitions, five treatment plans were performed: free-breathing (reference method), deep-inspiration breath-hold, and three from the 4D CT: two breathing synchronized treatments (inspiration and expiration) and one treatment taking into account all the tumour motions (definition of the internal target volume [ITV]).