Monte Carlo Dosimetric Characterization of the IsoAid ADVANTAGETM 103Pd Brachytherapy Source

Abstract

ABSTRACT: For many years, 125I and 103Pd sources have been used in the treatment of various malignant diseases such as prostate cancer. A variety of new sources have been marketed and produced to meet this growing demand for new sources in which to use to treat these diseases. Recently, IsoAID LLC. created the ADVANTAGETM 103Pd source. In order to sell this source, various dosimetric parameters must be determined in order to facilitate treatment planning using this source. These dosimetric characteristics, dose rate constant, radial dose function, and anisotropy function, were theoretically determined following the AAPM Task Group 43U1 recommendations. Theoretical calculations were performed in liquid water using the PTRAN Monte Carlo code version 7.44. The results indicate that the dose rate constant of the new source in water is 0.709 + 0.014 cGy ? h?1 ? U-1. The radial dose function of the new source was calculated in liquid water at distances up to 10.0 cm. The anisotropy function, F(r,), of the new source was calculated in liquid water at distances ranging from 0.5 cm to 7 cm from the source. From the anisotropy function, the anisotropy factors and anisotropy constant were derived. The anisotropy constant of the ADVANTAGETM 103Pd source in water was theoretically found to be 0.880 + 0.040. The dosimetric characteristics of this new source compared favorably with other commercially available sources and are presented in this manuscript.



KEYWORDS: 103Pd, Dosimetry, Monte Carlo, and Brachytherapy