O sucesso do tratamento de neoplasias depende da precisão na localização tumoral e de áreas críticas limítrofes, e da distribuição da dose entregue a esses volumes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a utilização do filme radiocrômico Gafchromic R EBT2 na avaliação da distribuição de dose em planejamentos radioterápicos, desenvolvendo um protocolo dosimétrico capaz de verificar a conformidade entre distribuições de doses planejada e entregue em teleterapia. Avaliou-se também, a contribuição da separação dos canais RGB das imagens para o controle da qualidade dos planejamentos utilizando esses filmes. Com esse intuito, realizou-se testes para verificação das características do filme EBT2 e do digitalizador a fim de obter-se um protocolo dosimétrico adequado. Realizou-se a simulação de tratamentos de sistema nervoso central com a irradiação de um objeto simulador homogêneo, com 5 campos em um acelerador linear de 6 MV e comparou-se com os dados do sistema de planejamento através de mapas de índice gama. Observou-se que o canal verde, apresenta maior conformidade aos valores de referência. Os mapas de índice gama, resultaram em uma conformação de 98% para critérios de aceitação de DD = 3 % e DTA = 3 mm, de acordo com os limites estabelecidos no Report 62 do ICRU. Ao final deste trabalho, concluiu-se que o protocolo estabelecido com a análise do canal verde no filme EBT2 é adequado para a realização do controle da qualidade em tratamentos conformacionais, sendo uma ferramenta de fácil implementação para avaliação da distribuição de dose nesses tratamentos. / The successful treatment of neoplasms depends on the accurate localization of the tumor and adjacent critical areas, and the distribution of the dose delivered to these volumes. The objective of this work was to verify the use of radiochromic film Gafchromic R EBT2 to evaluate the dose distribution in radiotherapy planning, developing a dosimetric protocol able to check the conformity between the planned and delivered dose distributions in teletherapy. The contribution of the RGB channel separation in the images to quality control of the planning was also evaluated. With this purpose, EBT2 film was calibrated and studied to verify its characteristics when read with a scanner in order to obtain a suitable dosimetric protocol. Simulation in a homogeneous phantom with 5 radiation fields on a 6 MV linear accelerator was compared with the planning system data through gamma index maps. It was observed that the green channel has a higher conformity with the reference values. The gamma index maps resulted in a conformation of 98% when the acceptance criteria was DD = 3% and DTA = 3 mm, according to the limits established by the ICRU Report 62. This study concluded that the protocol established for the analysis EBT2 films with green channel is suitable for performing quality control in conformational treatments.

O sucesso do tratamento de neoplasias depende da precisão na localização tumoral e de áreas críticas limítrofes, e da distribuição da dose entregue a esses volumes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a utilização do filme radiocrômico Gafchromic R EBT2 na avaliação da distribuição de dose em planejamentos radioterápicos, desenvolvendo um protocolo dosimétrico capaz de verificar a conformidade entre distribuições de doses planejada e entregue em teleterapia. Avaliou-se também, a contribuição da separação dos canais RGB das imagens para o controle da qualidade dos planejamentos utilizando esses filmes. Com esse intuito, realizou-se testes para verificação das características do filme EBT2 e do digitalizador a fim de obter-se um protocolo dosimétrico adequado. Realizou-se a simulação de tratamentos de sistema nervoso central com a irradiação de um objeto simulador homogêneo, com 5 campos em um acelerador linear de 6 MV e comparou-se com os dados do sistema de planejamento através de mapas de índice gama. Observou-se que o canal verde, apresenta maior conformidade aos valores de referência. Os mapas de índice gama, resultaram em uma conformação de 98% para critérios de aceitação de DD = 3 % e DTA = 3 mm, de acordo com os limites estabelecidos no Report 62 do ICRU. Ao final deste trabalho, concluiu-se que o protocolo estabelecido com a análise do canal verde no filme EBT2 é adequado para a realização do controle da qualidade em tratamentos conformacionais, sendo uma ferramenta de fácil implementação para avaliação da distribuição de dose nesses tratamentos. / The successful treatment of neoplasms depends on the accurate localization of the tumor and adjacent critical areas, and the distribution of the dose delivered to these volumes. The objective of this work was to verify the use of radiochromic film Gafchromic R EBT2 to evaluate the dose distribution in radiotherapy planning, developing a dosimetric protocol able to check the conformity between the planned and delivered dose distributions in teletherapy. The contribution of the RGB channel separation in the images to quality control of the planning was also evaluated. With this purpose, EBT2 film was calibrated and studied to verify its characteristics when read with a scanner in order to obtain a suitable dosimetric protocol. Simulation in a homogeneous phantom with 5 radiation fields on a 6 MV linear accelerator was compared with the planning system data through gamma index maps. It was observed that the green channel has a higher conformity with the reference values. The gamma index maps resulted in a conformation of 98% when the acceptance criteria was DD = 3% and DTA = 3 mm, according to the limits established by the ICRU Report 62. This study concluded that the protocol established for the analysis EBT2 films with green channel is suitable for performing quality control in conformational treatments.

<p>The main focus of this work is to improve the existing clinical machine model within the Pinnacle software planning system (at Juravinski Cancer Center, Hamilton, CA). The incident energy fluence spectrum exiting from the accelerator head is considered an important element of the machine model. Relying on the Pinnacle auto modeling function to determine the relative photon fluence spectrum based on percent depth dose curves fitting for various filed sizes, led to different solutions when the process cycle were repeated. This work presents a new method for determining the Pinnacle photon energy fluence spectrum based on 6 MV Varian 21EX machine. A Monte Carlo simulation spectrum based on BEAMnrc code was attenuated to various depths of water. We determine that, the BEAMnrc spectrum attenuated by 15 cm of water gives the closest agreement between the computed and measured depth dose, similar to the clinical machine spectrum.</p> <p>Implementing the novel spectrum into a machine that retained the same modeling parameters as the clinical machine (21ex-JCC) shows a slight better calculation of the output factor. The MLC model parameters were also investigated, however, adjusting the MLC offset table was found to give significant improvements, especially for the small field geometries.</p> <p>The full impact of adjusting the photon energy spectrum, Off-Axis Softening Factor, MLC rounded leaf tip radius and MLC calibration offsets were investigated individually, resulting in a good model parameter fit. Several proposed supplementary setups were created to further assess our model. This include a geometry sensitive to MLC abutment leakage, the calculation of output factors for long and narrow MLC defined fields, and small square MLC and jaws defined fields. A Sun-Point diode detector was used in the measurement of the output factors for its accurate precision at small geometries. In addition, a GAFCHROMIC EBT2 film dosimetry was used in the measurement of the MLC abutment leakage.</p> <p>Our new model shows superior results in comparison to the clinical 21ex-JCC machine model, especially with MLC small field calculations. We conclude that relying on PDD curves and dose profiles validation method in assessing the model might not necessarily lead to the best machine parameters, since these are not sensitive to subtle changes in parameters that have important dosimetric consequences.</p> / Master of Science (MSc)