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Tungsten-181 is a middle energy radioisotope with an average energy of E avg =64.3keV and a half-life of T 1/2 =140d that holds promise as a new HDR brachytherapy source. This is because, except for its two highest energy photons which have energies of 136 keV (yield: 0.0311%) and 156 keV (yield: 0.0083%), this source is dominated by photons which lie between 56 keV to 67 keV. Such photons easily are absorbed by high Z materials but scatter readily in water. This study will investigate the treatment needs and intensity modulation capabilities of W-181 and compare these results to those of Iridium-192 and Ytterbium-169. Simulations were conducted using the Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport Code (MCNP6.2) to calculate the Dose Rate Constant, Radial Dose Function, photon self-absorption, and treatment activity of a 3.5mm long and 0.6mm diameter pellet encapsulated in stainless steel. We finally evaluated the intensity modulation capabilities of this pellet and compared it to Ir-192 and Yb-169. Our W-181 pellet had a Dose Rate Constant of 1.01 ± 0.01cGy∙h-1∙U-1 and a Radial Dose Function, which was fit to a 5th polynomial function to obtain the following coefficients: a 0 =9.01E-1 a 1 =8.60E-2 a 2 =2.96E-2 a 3 =-1.05E-2 a 4 =1.00E-3 a 5 =-3.00E-5. With respect to shielding and intensity modulation, 0.3mm of gold shielding reduced W-181's absorbed dose by 86%, Yb-169′s dose by 62%, and Ir-192's dose by 15%. While this isotope therefore can be an excellent candidate for IMBT, we also found that it is limited by a high photon self-absorption due to tungsten's very high density (19.3g/cm3) and atomic number (74). Specifically, we found that a W-181 pellet would provide an absorbed dose rate per unit activity of 1.84 ± 0.01cGy∙Ci-1min-1 to a treatment area 1cm from the source as opposed to Ir-192 and Yb-169's 31.0 ± 0.37 cGy∙Ci-1∙min-1 and 8.18 ± 0.11 cGy∙Ci-1∙min-1, respectively. A W-181 therapeutic source therefore would require a higher treatment activity than a Yb-169 or Ir-192 source. The capabilities of W-181 for intensity modulation outperforms that of Ir-192 and even Yb-169. Given these results, W-181 shows promise as a brachytherapy source, especially in multi-pellet configurations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: A novel 32P brachytherapy source has been in use at our institution intraoperatively for temporary radiation therapy of the spinal dura and other localized tumors. We describe the dosimetry and clinical implementation of the source. Methods and Materials: Dosimetric evaluation for the source was done with a complete set of MCNP5 Monte Carlo calculations preceding clinical implementation. In addition, the depth dose curve and dose rate were measured by use of an electron field diode to verify the Monte Carlo calculations. Calibration procedures using the diode in a custom-designed phantom to provide an absolute dose calibration and to check dose uniformity across the source area for each source before treatment were established. Results: Good agreement was established between the Monte Carlo calculations and diode measurements. Quality assurance measurements results are provided for about 100 sources used to date. Clinical source calibrations were usually within 10% of manufacturer specifications. Procedures for safe handling of the source are described. Discussion: Clinical considerations for using the source are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]