Earticle

초록

영어

Background: Vaginal cuff brachytherapy after hysterectomy targets radiation to potential residual cancer cells. Our previous study proposed a three-ovoid applicator to improve dose coverage and stability over conventional applicators but was limited to two-dimensional plan comparisons. This study introduces a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)-Agar phantom for threedimensional (3D) dosimetric comparison of these applicators and verifies its applicability. Materials and Methods: Cylinder, two-ovoid, and three-ovoid applicators were compared. A PMMA frame (30 cm×20 cm×10 cm) with a central 10 cm diameter cavity for the Agar phantom was constructed. Using treatment plans delivering 3 Gy to a 5 mm thick bolus target, dose distributions were verified using Gafchromic EBT3 film (Ashland Inc.) and an Exradin A1SL thimble ionization chamber (Standard Imaging Inc.). Results and Discussion: Plan evaluations showed the three-ovoid applicator demonstrated improved dose uniformity and target coverage over conventional applicators. It yielded higher mean target doses (1.97 Gy vs. cylinder; 0.78 Gy vs. two-ovoid normal) and notably enhanced dose homogeneity, reducing a key uniformity index (D5 cm³/D99 Vol%) from 2.08 (cylinder) and 1.68 (two-ovoid normal) down to 1.61. These planned advantages were qualitatively supported by A1SL chamber and EBT3 film measurements showing dose distributions consistent with plans, experimentally verifying the three-ovoid’s dosimetric advantage using the PMMA-Agar phantom. Conclusion: In this study, we experimentally verified the three-ovoid applicator’s dosimetric advantage compared to the conventional applicators by using an in-house designed PMMAAgar phantom for vaginal cuff brachytherapy. We plan to improve the experimental 3D dose verification accuracy in the future, considering the more realistic patient’s internal organ structure using a 3D printing technique.

목차

ABSTRACT
Introduction
Materials and Methods
1. Applicators for Vaginal Cuff Brachytherapy
2. In-house Designed PMMA-Agar Phantom
3. Brachytherapy Planning
4. Dose Measurement
Results
1. Phantom Quality Evaluation
2. Plan Quality Evaluation for Various Applicators
3. Measured Dose Evaluation
Discussion
Conclusion
Article Information
References

키워드

저자

• Saerom Sung [ Department of Radiation Convergence Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea ]
• Hyemi Kim [ Department of Radiological Science, Jeonju University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea ]
• Sunghyun Kim [ Department of Radiation Oncology, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea ]
• Misun Kim [ Department of Radiation Oncology, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea ]
• Hyejung Cha [ Department of Radiation Oncology, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea ]
• Yeon Soo Yeom [ Department of Radiation Convergence Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea ]
• Sei Hwan You [ Department of Radiation Oncology, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea ]
• Chul Hee Min [ Department of Radiation Convergence Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea ] Corresponding Author
• Hyun Joon Choi [ Department of Radiation Oncology, Wonju Severance Christian Hospital, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Republic of Korea ] Corresponding Author

참고문헌

발행기관

간행물

표지보기 관심저널 등록

• 간행물명

  방사선방어학회지 [Journal of Radiation Protection and Research]

• 간기

  계간

• pISSN

  2508-1888

• 수록기간

  1976~2026

• 등재여부

  KCI 등재,SCOPUS

• 십진분류

  KDC 559 DDC 629