Characteristics of Monitor Chamber for Photon Energy Mounted on Linear Accelerators

Abstract

Radiotherapy linear accelerators are calibrated to deliver a specific dose under standard conditions following accepted protocols (for example, JSMP12 protocol). The linear accelerator output is calibrated to deliver 1.0 cGy per 1.0 monitor unit (MU) at the depth of maximum in tissue maximum ratio. Beams of photons or electrons pass through a monitor chamber located in the linear accelerators head, which turns off the beam once the prescribed MU is delivered. The clinical outcome of radiotherapy demands that the linear accelerators output do not deviate from the calibrated level by more than a few percent. The purpose of this study is to characterize and understand the long term behavior of the output, change of flatness and symmetry from megavoltage radiotherapy linear accelerators (TrueBeam, Varian Medical Systems). Output trends of beams from three linear accelerators in two institutions over a period of more than 3 years are reported and analyzed. Output taken once per month the basis of this study. The output is measured using ionization chamber with water phantom. These are calibrated by accredited dosimetry laboratory with Japanese traceability system. When the output variation was bounded ±1%, monitor chamber was re-calibrated. The results show that the output from Linac was constantly upward trend. The output of Linac increased up to 8.0% in 1st year. However, upward trend became plateau slowly after years. Beams of same energies from another Linac are correlated with a correlation coefficient. Symmetry and flatness from one Truebeam stabled within 1%. If these adjustments are artificially removed then there is an increase in output, it is important to check the output of linear accelerator periodically.