Parameters Affecting Pre-Treatment Dosimetry Verification

To assure the accuracy and safety of radiation delivery, it is highly recommended to perform pretreatment verification for complex treatment methods such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) to detect any potential errors in the treatment planning process and machine deliverability. It is expected that a qualified medical physicist is aware of the underlying scientific principles of imaging and therapeutic processes to perform or supervise technical aspects of pretreatment procedures to ensure safe and effective delivery of the treatment. For this purpose, several guidelines have been published to help direct medical physicists to evaluate the accuracy of treatment planning system (TPS) in the calculation of radiation dose, and dosimetry equipment to avoid possible errors. This will require a clear understanding of abilities as well as the limitations of each TPS, the dosimetry equipment at hand, and the gamma index to perform a comprehensive pre-treatment verification