Comparison of palladium-103 prostate implant dose distributions using a novel prostate phantom and commercial treatment planning software incorporating TG-43 formalism

In this study the authors investigate the dose distribution surrounding a 15 seed Palladium-103 (¹⁰³Pd) implant positioned within a novel anthropomorphic prostate phantom using radiochromic film dosimetry. Experimental dose measurements are compared to calculated values using TG-43 formalism implemented on a commercial treatment planning system. Dose rates for a single ¹⁰³Pd seed commissioned in the treatment planning software are within 5% of those reported by Task Group 43 at radial distances from 5 mm to 30 mm. Film dosimetry results agree reasonably well with calculated values for a 15 seed prostate model. The results indicate that film dosimetry has potential as a high-resolution dosimetry technique for low energy brachytherapy sources