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- Title
Factors Affecting Implementation of Radiological Protection Aspects of Imaging in Radiotherapy.
- Authors
Martin, Colin John; Gros, Sebastien; Kron, Tomas; Wood, Tim J.; Vassileva, Jenia; Small Jr., William; Min, Ung Ngie
- Abstract
Featured Application: The research provides data on practices in imaging employed in radiotherapy services in countries with different levels of income and development. The information will be used in deciding on recommendations to encourage optimization of radiological protection for imaging by radiotherapy facilities and in evaluating what additional dosimetry features might be included on cone beam CT facilities incorporated into radiotherapy equipment. These will be included in a publication on radiological protection aspects of imaging in radiotherapy being prepared by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). Dramatic improvements in radiotherapy equipment have allowed radiation fields to be conformed to tumours for more accurate treatment. Successful delivery often requires imaging at every treatment fraction, a method known as image guided radiation therapy (IGRT). But increased X-ray imaging exposes patients to doses that carry risks of inducing second cancers in normal tissues. Therefore, reductions in high-dose treatment margins achieved with IGRT must be balanced against detriments from greater imaging doses. ICRP Task Group 116 has been set up to prepare guidance on radiological protection aspects of IGRT. Factors affecting the optimization of radiological protection are the modalities used, the frequency of imaging, the image acquisition parameters influencing image quality and radiation dose, and the volume of normal tissue included in the images. The Task Group has undertaken two projects: (1) a snapshot survey of radiotherapy imaging practices across six continents, which has shown that use of kV cone beam CT (CBCT) increases with Human Development Index for the country; and (2) a project looking at ways for measuring CBCT doses that could be applied more widely. The results highlight the need for raising awareness of imaging doses, and development of the dose quantities displayed on imaging equipment used in radiotherapy.
- Subjects
INTERNATIONAL Commission on Radiological Protection; CONE beam computed tomography; X-ray imaging; RADIOTHERAPY; HUMAN Development Index; RADIATION doses
- Publication
Applied Sciences (2076-3417), 2023, Vol 13, Issue 3, p1533
- ISSN
2076-3417
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/app13031533