Comparative Analysis of Dose Calculation Systems in Radiotherapy: Evaluating Commercial Systems against Institutional Methods

Chang JK

Published on: 2024-10-08

Abstract

This study focuses on a comparative analysis of commercial and institutional dose calculation systems (DCS) in radiotherapy. Accurate dose calculations are essential for delivering effective and safe radiotherapy treatments, minimizing radiation exposure to healthy tissues while maximizing the dose to targeted cancerous cells. The research compares the performance of commercially available DCS, which are widely used in clinical settings, with institutional methods that may employ customized algorithms or tailored computational models.

The comparison examines key parameters such as accuracy in dose distribution, precision in complex anatomical regions, computational efficiency, and adaptability to specific clinical scenarios. Commercial DCS, such as those from major vendors, offer streamlined workflows and regulatory compliance but may show limitations in specific cases requiring highly personalized approaches. In contrast, institutional systems often exhibit greater flexibility, especially in adapting to unique patient anatomies or advanced radiotherapy techniques, though they may require more significant expertise and validation efforts.

Key findings indicate that while commercial systems provide reliable results for standard treatments, institutional methods may offer improved accuracy for certain complex cases, such as irregular tumor shapes or heterogeneous tissue compositions. The implications for clinical practice highlight the importance of selecting the appropriate DCS based on patient-specific requirements, treatment complexity, and resource availability. The study suggests that a hybrid approach, leveraging both commercial tools for efficiency and institutional methods for precision, may enhance treatment outcomes in radiotherapy.