Thermoluminescent dosimetry for 103Pd seeds (model 200) in solid water phantom

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiation Oncology
• Dosimetry

Background:

• Accurate dose distribution is crucial for effective brachytherapy.
• 103Pd seeds are commonly used in prostate brachytherapy.
• Characterizing the dose output of brachytherapy sources is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To measure and characterize the dose distribution around single 103Pd seeds.
• To provide data for improving dose calculations in brachytherapy.
• To compare experimental data with existing models and calculations.

Main Methods:

• Used LiF thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) for dose measurements.
• Performed measurements in a solid water phantom at various distances and angles.
• Presented data as dose rate per unit source strength, adjusted for distance squared.

Main Results:

• Dose measurements were taken from 1 mm to 4 cm around the 103Pd seed.
• A specific data point at 1 cm along the transverse axis was 0.88 cGy cm2 mCi-1h-1.
• Good agreement was found with previous studies and point source calculations, except at very short distances.

Conclusions:

• The study provides valuable experimental dose data for 103Pd seeds.
• A dose-rate table in polar coordinates was formulated for multiseed calculations.
• The findings support the use of TLDs for brachytherapy dosimetry and highlight the importance of source geometry effects.