Verification of the accuracy of 3D calculations of breast dose during tangential irradiation: measurements in a breast phantom

This report specifically describes the use of a unique anthropomorphic breast phantom to validate the accuracy of three-dimensional dose calculations performed by a commercial treatment-planning system for intact-breast tangential irradiation. The accuracy of monitor-unit calculations has been corroborated using ionization chamber measurements made in this phantom. Measured doses have been compared to those calculated from a variety of treatment plans. The treatment plans utilized a 6-MV x-ray beam and incorporated a variety of field configurations and wedge combinations. Dose measurements at several clinically relevant points within the breast phantom have confirmed the accuracy of calculated doses generated from the variety of treatment plans. Overall agreement between measurements and calculations averaged 0.998+/-0.009. These results indicate that the dose per monitor-unit calculations performed by the treatment-planning system can be confidently utilized in the fulfillment of clinical dose prescriptions.