title: A monte carlo study of dose rate distribution around the specially asymmetric CSM3-a 137Cs source.
abstract: The CSM3 137Cs type stainless-steel encapsulated source is widely used in manually afterloaded low dose rate brachytherapy. A specially asymmetric source, CSM3-a, has been designed by CIS Bio International (France) substituting the eyelet side seed with an inactive material in the CSM3 source. This modification has been done in order to allow a uniform dose level over the upper vaginal surface when this 'linear' source is inserted at the top of the dome vaginal applicators. In this study the Monte Carlo GEANT3 simulation code, incorporating the source geometry in detail, was used to investigate the dosimetric characteristics of this special CSM3-a 137Cs brachytherapy source. The absolute dose rate distribution in water around this source was calculated and is presented in the form of an along-away table. Comparison of Sievert integral type calculations with Monte Carlo results are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Oncology Department, La Fe University Hospital, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pérez-Calatayud
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lliso
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Balleste
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Serrano
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Lluch
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Limami
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Puchades
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Casal
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D001918:Brachytherapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D014621:Vagina / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D002588:Cesium Radioisotopes