TURKISH JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY 2024 , Vol 39 , Num Supplementum 1
Guide for Quality Control and Assurance Tests in High Dose Rate Brachytherapy Units
Kerem DURUER1,Büşra TAVLI2,Yusuf Ziya HAZERAL3,Şule PARLAR4,Hakan EREN3,Murat OKUTAN5,Aydın ÇAKIR6,Damla POYRAZ7,Talat AKSU8,Halil KÜÇÜCÜK9
1Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Radyasyon Onkolojisi Anabilim Dalı, Eskişehir-Türkiye
2Ulus Liv Hospital, Radyasyon Onkolojisi Kliniği, İstanbul-Türkiye
3Ege Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Radyasyon Onkolojisi Anabilim Dalı, İzmir-Türkiye
4Trakya Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Radyasyon Onkolojisi Anabilim Dalı, Edirne-Türkiye
5İstanbul Üniversitesi, Onkoloji Enstitüsü Sağlık Fiziği Bölümü, Radyasyon Onkolojisi Kliniği, İstanbul-Türkiye
6Memorial Hastanesi, Radyasyon Onkolojisi Kliniği, İstanbul-Türkiye
7Acıbadem Atakent Hastanesi, Radyasyon Onkolojisi Kliniği, İstanbul-Türkiye
819 Mayıs Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Radyasyon Onkolojisi Anabilim Dalı, Samsun-Türkiye
9Acıbadem Altunizade Hastanesi, Radyasyon Onkolojisi Kliniği, İstanbul-Türkiye
DOI : 10.5505/tjo.2024.002 This national report highlights the importance of quality control tests for brachytherapy devices and systems. Brachytherapy is an effective treatment method that delivers high doses to small volumes by placing radioactive sources within tissues, on body surfaces, or in cavities. For the safe and effective application of this treatment, comprehensive quality control tests are required. The primary goal of quality control tests is to ensure treatment accuracy and patient safety. Due to the use of radioactive sources, it is particularly important to continuously monitor whether the devices are functioning correctly. Quality control programs aim to monitor the performance of systems that have passed acceptance tests and are ready for clinical use. This allows the detection of deviations that may occur over time, ensuring reliability during treatment. Additionally, ensuring radiation safety for hospital staff and the environment is crucial. The report outlines the necessary tests to ensure the safety, mechanical operation, and dose accuracy of brachytherapy devices. Based on international guidelines and expert opinions, it provides information on the purpose of each test, the methods used, and acceptable tolerance ranges. As experts gain experience, the frequency and scope of quality control tests can be expanded, enhancing the efficiency and safety of the devices. In these quality control processes, the correct positioning of radioactive sources, dose calculations, and the prevention of unexpected deviations during treatment are of utmost importance. Furthermore, tolerance ranges in accordance with international standards should be established for device calibration and safe operating conditions. For the long-term reliability of brachytherapy systems, annual, quarterly, and daily quality control procedures should be defined in detail and regularly monitored. Keywords : Applicator; brachytherapy; safety tests; quality control