title: A spreadsheet program for brachytherapy planning.
abstract: A computer program (brachy-spread) which allows spreadsheet-like interactive adjustment of the loading of any brachytherapy application has been implemented. Sources are collected into objects, each assigned an activity and duration of implant. Activities and times may be adjusted by moving a cursor to the datum to be edited and entering a new value from the keyboard. Alternatively, the desired total dose to a given calculation point may be edited resulting in a recalculation of the time for all objects. For each of a set of calculation points, dose rates, total doses, and the percent contribution of each object to the point are displayed and instantly updated as the times and activities are adjusted. The program design includes rapidly updated display of isodose curves in previously selected arbitrary planes. A strategy for providing rapid dose display involving precalculation of fractional dose tables is used. The program has significantly reduced the time required to determine the appropriate loading of GYN applications and of implants which involve a combination of line sources and seeds.
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001918:Brachytherapy; D006801:Humans; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D012984:Software