Dose 2016

Conclusion

•Several different methods are available when characterizing, parameterizing and integrating pencil kernels.

•Generally, the pencil kernel implementation is associated with a number of approximations and limitations, related to the actual photon beam or the dose calculation object. Some of these errors can be minimized through more advanced modelling while other errors, mainly related to tissue heterogeneities, require algorithms employing explicit 3D-modelling.

•Pencil kernel algorithms are widely used in clinical treatment planning systems for photon dose calculations. Their popularity is related to the fact that they offer a good compromise between flexibility, accuracy and speed. For this reason they are the dose engine of choice used in plan optimisation calculations.