A comparison of in-air and in-water calibration of a dosimetry system used for radiation dose assessment in cancer therapy

An accurate calibration of the therapy level radiation dosimetry system has a pivotal role in the accuracy of dose delivery to cancer patients. The two methods used for obtaining a tissue equivalent calibration of the system: air kerma calibration and its conversion to a tissue equivalent value (absorbed dose to water) and direct calibration of the system in a water phantom, have been compared for identical irradiation geometry. It was found that the deviation between the two methods remained within a range of 0% to ?1.7% for the PTW UNIDOS dosimetry system. This means that although the recommended method is in-water calibration, under exceptional circumstances, in-air calibration may be used as well.