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Qa Discussion 3

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38 views1 page

Qa Discussion 3

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api-633434674
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QA of TPS: QA of a treatment planning system is very complex and tedious.

There may
be several institutions that have no formal process in place. Are you familiar with the
process at your institution, if there is one? If so, does the physicist or dosimetrist
perform this QA? What are some of the tests they perform?

Prepare a two to three paragraph summary about TPS QA, the importance, who
performs it (or who can perform it), how often it is performed (or could be performed)
and why.

While we usually think of QA involving measurements taken at the LINAC with electrometers,
diodes and phantoms, the quality assurance of the treatment planning system (TPS) is equally
important. This is the location where all our calculation algorithms are stored and what
determines the validity of the plans that we send out to be delivered at the machines. For this
reason, it is critical to perform checks on this system, as it is an integral link in the chain of
treatment planning and delivery.

At my clinical site, the medical physicists are responsible for TPS QA, along with assistance
from the dosimetrists. The AAPM TG-53 report serves as a guide for how this protocol is
developed, along with how and when TPS QA should take place. Our physicists do perform
regular checks on the accuracy and reliability of the TPS, according to the recommended
frequencies, and methods, provided in the TG53 report.

The most important part of this process is performed when we upgrade to a new TPS software.
Since we cannot be sure that our calculation models/algorithms were correctly integrated with
the new software, we compare previously calculated and verified plans to calculations
performed on the new system. For instance, in dosimetry, we will take a breast tangent plan that
was calculated on the previous software version. Our physicists then compare the MU, isodose
lines, and dose statistics between the two plans to verify the new software can be trusted. Other
plans/treatment sites that are calculated include head and neck, spine, liver, prostate, lung,
pelvis, and brain. They try to use plans from most treatment sites, and use all photon and
electron energies. Their evaluation monitors constancy of MU, dose statistics, HU/CT numbers ,
as well as integration of PDDs, wedge factors, etc. from the data collected from the treatment
machines.

It is most important to conduct TPS QA after a software, algorithm, or hardware change.


However, ensuring that the system that we are using to create our treatment plans and dose
calculations is using accurate and up-to-date data collected from the treatment machines. This
is an ongoing process that our physicists handle with great care.

References:
1. Fraass B, Doppke K, Hunt M, et al. American Association of Physicists in Medicine
Radiation Therapy Committee Task Group 53: quality assurance for clinical radiotherapy
treatment planning. Med Phys. 1998;25(10):1773-1829. doi:10.1118/1.598373

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