Structural Quality Indicators in Radiation Oncology: Insights and Implications.

Aims: Over the past two decades, significant progress has been made in the development of quality indicators (QIs) within the field of radiotherapy (RT). However, most of the literature has predominantly focused on process and outcome-related QIs, with limited attention given to structural QIs. This review aims to address this gap by providing insights into structural QIs in RT and examining the complexities and considerations involved in establishing universal standards for these indicators across RT facilities globally.

Mean parotid dose prediction model using machine learning regression method for intensity-modulated radiotherapy in head and neck cancer.

Parotids are considered one of the major organs at risk in Head and Neck (HN) intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Achieving proper target coverage with reduced mean parotid dose demands an elaborate time-consuming IMRT plan optimization. A parotid mean dose prediction model based on a machine-learning linear regression was developed and validated in this study.

Experimental determination of thermal neutron fluence around Elekta Versa HD linear accelerator for various photon energies.

A complex neutron spectrum generated along with a useful photon beam imposes an additional radiation protection risk around medical linear accelerators (linac). The thermal neutron component of this complex neutron spectrum formed during different photon modes of operation of Elekta Versa HD linac has been quantified using Indium foil activation technique. The thermal neutron fluence (Φ ) at isocenter for 15 MV, 10 MV and 10 MV FFF beams was found to be 2.

A technique for quantifying the sensitivity of dosimetric tool gamma with 2D detector array in pretreatment IMRT plans by segment deletion method.

Objectives: Motivation of this study is to check the sensitivity of dosimetric tool gamma with 2D detector array combination when unexpected errors occur while transferring intensity-modulated radiation therapy treatment plans from planning system to treatment unit.

Methods: This study consists of 17 head and neck cancer patient's treatment plans. Nine types of verification plans are created for all 17 clinically approved treatment plans by consecutively deleting different segments (up to eight) one by one from each field of the plan.