Advanced Physics for Brachytherapy 2018

Summary for Breast Brachytherapy

• The experts agree that in using TG43 for 192 Ir procedures: ➢ If you are using high levels of contrast – your overall dose is decreased ➢ Skin dose is over-estimated (~ 4-10%) ➢ Dose to ribs is under-estimated (~ 5 -7%)

➢ Dose coverage is probably slightly over-estimated

• If you use seeds or electronic brachytherapy sources ➢ Very large effect due to breast composition (adipose and glandular tissues) ➢ Very large effect from bones (ribs)