title: Quality assurance of 3D-CRT: indications and difficulties in their applications.
abstract: Although more advanced techniques such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy are rapidly spreading, 3D conformal radiotherapy (3D-CRT) remains the standard of treatment for many diseases. The authors outline essential indications to guarantee the quality of 3D-CRT treatments. Criteria for clinical indications and potential clinical advantages and disadvantages of 3D-CRT technology are presented. After briefly listing human and technological resources requirements, procedures for 3D-CRT and physical aspects peculiar to 3D-CRT are described. Medical physics support activities are also considered, including suggestions concerning quality control protocols. Difficulties in the application of correct quality procedures, particularly related to human and technological resources, procedures for patient positioning, imaging, contouring, treatment planning, in vivo dosimetry, set-up verification, follow-up, dose delivery are then discussed.
authors.affiliation: Servizio di Fisica Sanitaria Ospedale S. Giovanni Calibita, Fatebenefratelli, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Begnozzi
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benassi
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bertanelli
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bonini
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cionini
authors.forename: Leopoldo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Conte
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fiorino
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gabriele
authors.forename: Gianstefano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gardani
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giani
authors.forename: Secondo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Magri
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morelli
authors.forename: Brunello
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Morrica
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Olmi
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Orecchia
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Penduzzu
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Raffaele
authors.forename: Antonella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosi
authors.forename: M Antonella
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Tabocchini
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Valdagni
authors.forename: Vincenza
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Viti