Impact of cutout off axis on electron beam dosimetric parameters

Dosimetric changes caused by the positional uncertainty of centering a small electron cutout to the machine central axis (CAX) of the linear accelerator (linac) were investigated. Six circular cutouts with 4 cm diameter were made with their centres shifted off by 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 mm from the machine CAX. The 6 x 6 cm(2) electron applicator was used for the measurement. The percentage depth doses (PDDs) were measured at the Machine CAX and also with respect to cutout centre for 6, 9, 12, 16 and 20 MeV electron beams. The in-line and cross-line profiles were measured at the depth of maximum dose (R100). The relative output factor (ROF) was measured at the reference depth. All the measurements were made at nominal source to surface distance (100 cm SSD) as well as at extended SSDs (100, 102, 106 and 110 cm). When the cutout centre was shifted away from the machine CAX for low energy beams the depth of 100% dose (R(100)), the depth of 90% dose (R(90)) and the depth of 80% dose (R(80)) had no significant change. For higher energies (>9 MeV) there was a reduction in these dosimetric parameters. The isodose coverage of the in-line and cross-line profile was reduced when the cutout centre was shifted away from the machine CAX. At extended SSDs the dosimetric changes are only because of geometric divergence of the beam and not by the positional uncertainty of the cutout. It is important for the radiation oncologist, dosimetrist, therapist and physicist to note such dosimetric changes while using the electron beam to the patients.