Editing 3D Dosimeters for Non-Standard External Beam Therapy Dosimetry

With the advent of sophisticated radiation therapy treatment fields, there is an increased need for 3D dosimeters to verify the treatment delivery process. For many years, radiation therapy was comprised mostly of open fields and relatively little beam modulation. As Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS), and more recently Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) treatment plans are deliverable with commercial accelerator platforms, verifying the accuracy and deliverability of each platform has become a complicated process. Point-based dosimeters (such as ion chambers) and planar dosimeters (such as film) have been widely available for years. 3D dosimeters are not as widely available and are difficult to characterize. New formulations of gel / plastic dosimeters have shown promise to measure accurately the doses in non-standard external beam therapy dosimetry.

[[File:3D RT Dosimeter.jpg|frame|Example of a 3D dosimeter comprised of a cavity designed to hold a stack of self-developing radiochromic film designed by Travis McCaw]]