Quality assurance in episcleral brachytherapy

Abstract Purpose: The treatment of choroidal melanoma and other ocular tumors can be approached by means of epiescleral brachytherapy. The process involves several specialiced professionals, different methods to obtain measurements (radioactive sources, tumor) and a complex process to apply every treatment. A program of quality assurance would minimize the possibility of inaccuracy and would optimize the information flow. The purpose of this work is to establish a flow chart that guarantees the information efficiency and a protocol for episcleral brachytherapy. Methods: The flow chart of the process is elaborated, explaining each of the points of information, delimiting responsibilities and fixing period of performance identifying the most important steps for coordination Results: The scheme of the process flow chart is: Diagnosis; treatment Indication; epiescleral brachytherapy Protocol; ultrasound, funduscopy; CT, MR; Record and analysis of information; treatment volume definition; treatment planning and optimization; Quality assurance of sources and applicators; Preparation of the set applicator – sources; Plaque placement; Patient and radiation surveillance; Plaque recovery; Follow‐up. Conclusions: The example gathered in the present work shows the importance of the establishment of programs of quality assurance in treatments as episcleral brachytherapy or any other radiation treatment. Acknowledgments: This work has been financed partly by a grant of the Junta de Castilla y León (Order SAN/1322/2006 of August 22, BOCYL of August 29, 2006)