Evaluation of conventional IMRT and VMAT strategies for postmastectomy radiation therapy after immediate implant-based reconstruction using the new ESTRO-ACROP contouring guidelines.

This study evaluated the usability of conventional templates based on the new contour guidelines of the European Society of Radiation and Oncology and Advisory Committee in Radiation Oncology Practice (ESTRO-ACROP) for treatment plans of postmastectomy radiotherapy after immediate implant-based reconstruction. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans generated with two different treatment planning systems (TPSs, Eclipse and Monaco) were examined. Six computed tomography scans of patients aged 35-54 years were retrospectively analysed who had undergone mastectomy and breast reconstruction using silicone implants after being diagnosed with left breast cancer.

Mobile shielding evaluation on the fetal dose during a breast radiotherapy using Monte Carlo simulation.

Purpose: Evaluation of the out-of-field dose is an important aspect in radiotherapy. Due to the fetus radiosensitivity, this evaluation becomes even more conclusive when the patient is pregnant. In this work, a linear accelerator Varian Clinac 2100c operating at 6 MV, a pregnant anthropomorphic phantom (Maria), and different shields added above the abdominal region of the phantom were used for the analysis based on MCNPX.

Mass energy absorption coefficients and energy responses of magnesium tetraborate dosimeters for 0.02 MeV to 20 MeV photons using Monte Carlo simulations.

Thermoluminescence dosimeters containing boron, such as magnesium tetraborate (MgBO), are of interest because of their very high sensitivity, near tissue-equivalent absorption coefficients, low cost, easy handling, and very large linearity range for absorbed dose. Another important parameter that should be considered when working with thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD) is the mass energy absorption coefficient (μ/ρ), which is a close approximation to the energy available for production of chemical, biological and other effects associated with exposure to ionizing radiation, therefore important in estimating dose in medical and health physics. In this study the mass energy absorption coefficients and energy responses of undoped and some doped magnesium tetraborates were calculated by Monte Carlo N-particle transport code for a range of photon energies between 20 keV and 20 MeV.

Current situation of high-dose-rate brachytherapy for cervical cancer in Brazil.

Objective: To assess the current situation of high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy for cancer of the cervix in Brazil, regarding apparatuses, planning methods, prescription, fractionation schedule and evaluation of dose in organs at risk.

Materials And Methods: In the period between March/2012 and May/2013, a multiple choice questionnaire was developed and sent to 89 Brazilian hospitals which perform HDR brachytherapy.

Results: Sixty-one services answered the questionnaire.