A comparison of symmetry and flatness measurements in small electron fields by different dosimeters in electron beam radiotherapy

BACKGROUND: Symmetry and flatness are two quantities which should be evaluated in the commissioning and quality control of an electron beam in electron beam radiotherapy. The aim of this study is to compare symmetry and flatness obtained using three different dosimeters for various small and large fields in electron beam radiotherapy with linac. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Beam profile measurements were performed in a PTW water phantom for 10, 15 and 18 MeV electron beams of an Elekta Precise linac for small and large beams (1.5 × 1.5 cm(2) to 20 × 20 cm(2) field sizes). A Diode E detector and Semiflex-3D and Advanced Markus ionization chambers were used for dosimetry. RESULTS: Based on the obtained results, there are minor differences between the responses from different dosimeters (Diode E detector and Semiflex-3D and Advanced Markus ionization chambers) in measurement of symmetry and flatness for the electron beams. The symmetry and flatness values increase with increasing field size and electron beam energy for small and large field sizes, while the increases are minor in some cases. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the differences between the symmetry and flatness values obtained from the three dosimeter types are not practically important.