[Analysis and comparison of various quality protocols for radiotherapy linear accelerators]

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiation Oncology
• Quality Assurance

Background:

• Ensuring the quality of electron beams from medical linear accelerators is crucial for patient safety and effective radiation therapy.
• Established protocols from associations like AAPM, IPSM, ICRU, and NACP aim to standardize quality control.
• Variations in protocols can impact dose measurement accuracy and treatment consistency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze and compare electron beam quality parameters (flatness, symmetry, uniformity) across different protocols.
• To identify discrepancies and similarities in parameter definitions and experimental results.
• To provide recommendations for selecting the most suitable quality control protocol.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of national and international quality protocols.
• Evaluation of manufacturer-specific measurement instructions (Siemens).
• Assessment of a specific measurement system's software protocol (Multidata).

Main Results:

• Identified subtle differences in the definition of key quality parameters across various protocols.
• Observed variations in experimental results stemming from differing protocol methodologies.
• Highlighted significant differences in the recommended frequency of quality controls.

Conclusions:

• Protocol variations necessitate careful consideration for accurate electron beam quality assessment.
• Standardization of quality control protocols can enhance consistency and reliability in radiation therapy.
• Guidance is offered for selecting appropriate protocols to optimize patient safety and treatment outcomes.