Dosimetric characterization of the (60)Co BEBIG Co0.A86 high dose rate brachytherapy source using PENELOPE

Phys Med. 2014 Dec;30(8):960-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2014.06.039. Epub 2014 Jul 19.

Abstract

(60)Co sources are being used as an alternative to (192)Ir sources in high dose rate brachytherapy treatments. In a recent document from AAPM and ESTRO, a consensus dataset for the (60)Co BEBIG (model Co0.A86) high dose rate source was prepared by using results taken from different publications due to discrepancies observed among them. The aim of the present work is to provide a new calculation of the dosimetric characteristics of that (60)Co source according to the recommendations of the AAPM and ESTRO report. Radial dose function, anisotropy function, air-kerma strength, dose rate constant and absorbed dose rate in water have been calculated and compared to the results of previous works. Simulations using the two different geometries considered by other authors have been carried out and the effect of the cable density and length has been studied.

Keywords: (60)Co; HDR; Monte Carlo dosimetry; PENELOPE.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air
  • Algorithms
  • Anisotropy
  • Brachytherapy / instrumentation*
  • Brachytherapy / methods*
  • Cobalt Radioisotopes / chemistry*
  • Computer Simulation
  • Humans
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Radiometry / methods*
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / methods
  • Software
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Cobalt Radioisotopes
  • Water