Depth dose measurement in water phantom for two X-ray energies (6MeV and 10MeV) in comparison with actual planning

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to measure doses delivered at different depths in water phantom at vertical position in comparison with the actual planning in order to verify the dose delivered to the tumor in addition to the measurement of the effect penumbra dose to assess the dose leaking to the healthy soft tissue.

     Percentage depth dose (PDD) values was measured at field sizes (5×5,10×10,15×15, and 20×20) cm², and the depth dose was measured between (0-16) cm deep at 4cm intervals, for both energies 6 MeV and 10 MeV X-ray beam. Other readings were taken at different distances 1cm and 2cm outside of the actual beam in orthogonal directions at depth of 4 cm. These measurements were designed to measure the penumbra dose produced outside the central beam.

     Results show that the high similarity between water phantom and actual tissue for this reason water is taken as phantom for Quality Assurance (QA) and calculation the depth dose. The similar results may appear strange as the actual planning depth dose is taken in the chest wall where there is bone and soft tissue. The increase in the field size, increases the percentage of surface dose, this could be caused by an increase in the amount of scattering in the larger fields. There is almost no difference in depth dose between homogenous and non homogenous planning also similar to the water phantom. Because of higher photon energy 6MeV and 10MeV the bone has no influence in absorption from the soft tissue. A slight change in the depth dose with increase in the field size may be caused by the scattered radiation.