Background: The heterogeneous composition of
the human body presents numerous tissue types and
cavities with widely differing radiologic properties. The
aim of the present work was to develop a low cost
homogeneous and heterogeneous phantom and the
absorbed dose were measured by ionization chamber
for different radiotherapy treatment techniques and
compared with treatment planning system absorbed
dose values. Materials and Methods: Present work
deals with the fabrication of inexpensive homogeneous
and heterogeneous tissue equivalent slab
phantom using polymethyl methacrylate, cork, teflon
and perspex as a tissue, lung, spine and tumor
simulating materials respectively. These phantoms
were used for different treatment techniques and full
rotation techniques in SSD and SAD techniques.
Results: The measured dose values for the different
positions of both phantoms were compared with the
TPS values. The values are coinciding with each other
and the percentage of deviation varies from 0.47 to
2.8 and 0.49 to 2.86 for heterogeneous and homogeneous
phantoms respectively. Conclusion: The
measured values from ion chamber were compared
with 3-D Plato Treatment Planning System (TPS). TPS
values were also revealed the same result for
homogeneous and heterogeneous phantoms. The
dose value of tumor is found to be gradually
decreased with increase in arc angle. The dose value
of spine is also found to be gradually decreased up to
90° and increased in 360°. Heterogeneity correction
would definitely improve the cancer treatment of the
heterogeneity region. This in-house phantom is
inexpensive, easy to handle and very useful one to
verify the TPS calculation. Iran. J. Radiat. Res., 2011 9(2): 109-119
Senthilkumar S, Ramakrishnan V. Fabrication of low cost in-house slab homogeneous and heterogeneous phantoms for lung radiation treatment. Int J Radiat Res 2011; 9 (2) :109-119 URL: http://ijrr.com/article-1-743-en.html