Document Type
Article
Department
Radiation Oncology
Abstract
Purpose: The main objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of air gaps of 0 - 5.0 cm between bolus and skin for 1.0 cm Superflab bolus on surface dose (DSurf) and depth of maximum dose (dmax) in solid water and Rando® phantoms.
Methods: In this work, the effects of bolus to surface distance on DSurf and variation in dmax were analyzed in a solid water phantom and in an anthropomorphic Rando® phantom for different field sizes, using Gafchromic® EBT films and farmer chamber.
Results: For field sizes of 5 × 5 cm2 the DSurf is significantly affected by increasing air gaps greater than 5 mm. For field sizes larger than 10 × 10 cm2, DSurf is nearly the same for air gaps of 0 - 5.0 cm. For small fields and 6 MV photon beam, dmax increases with increasing air gap, while for 10 MV beam and smaller field sizes (i.e. 5 × 5 and 10 × 10 cm2) the dmax first decreases and then increases with the air gaps. For both 3DCRT and IMRT plans on Rando®, DSurf reduction is more prominent with increasing air gaps.
Conclusion: For field sizes larger than 10 × 10 cm2 DSurf is largely unaffected by air gaps. However, smaller air gap results in shallower dmax for both 6 MV and 10 MV photon beams at all fields sizes. Special consideration should be taken to reduce air gaps between bolus and skin for field sizes smaller than 10 × 10 cm2 or when surface contour variations are greater or when the bolus covers small area and at the border of the field.
Publication (Name of Journal)
Journal of Cancer Therapy
Recommended Citation
Khan, Y.,
Villarreal-Barajas, J. E.,
Udowicz, M.,
Sinha, R.,
Muhammad, W.,
Abbasi, A. N.,
Hussain, A.
(2013). Clinical and Dosimetric Implications of Air Gaps between Bolus and Skin Surface during Radiation Therapy. Journal of Cancer Therapy, 4(7), 1251-1255.
Available at:
https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_radiat_oncol/16