Session

Overview: Treatment planning systems (TPS) are essential in brachytherapy. After installation or updating of a brachytherapy TPS the software must be commissioned by a medical physicists. For this demanding task the teaching lectures in this session will convey the needed knowledge. Theoretical background and practical hints will be explained. This comprise dose calculation (TG-43 formalism and model-based dose calculation algorithms (MBDCAs)), imaging, afterloader parameters, applicators, dose-volume histograms, and output/input data transfer. It will also be presented how special test cases of MBDCAs can help in the commissioning process. Moreover, the audience can learn about benefits and limitations of MBDCAs in clinical practice.