title: Quality assurance: fundamental reproducibility tests for 3-D treatment-planning systems.
abstract: The use of image-based 3D treatment planning has significantly increased the complexity of commercially available treatment-planning systems (TPSs). Medical physicists have traditionally focused their efforts on understanding the calculation algorithm; this is no longer possible. A quality assurance (QA) program for our 3D treatment-planning system (ADAC Pinnacle3) is presented. The program is consistent with the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group 53 guidelines and balances the cost-versus-benefit equation confronted by the clinical physicist in a community cancer center environment. Fundamental reproducibility tests are presented as required for a community cancer center environment using conventional and 3D treatment planning. A series of nondosimetric tests, including digitizer accuracy, image acquisition and display, and hardcopy output, is presented. Dosimetric tests include verification of monitor units (MUs), standard isodoses, and clinical cases. The tests are outlined for the Pinnacle3 TPS but can be generalized to any TPS currently in use. The program tested accuracy and constancy through several hardware and software upgrades to our TPS. This paper gives valuable guidance and insight to other physicists attempting to approach TPS QA at fundamental and practical levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, High Point Regional Cancer Center, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA. cable@wfubmc.edu
authors.forename: Charles M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Able
authors.forename: Michael D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014481:United States