In Vivo Dosimetry for Brachytherapy Study

A dosimeter is a small device that is able to record the dose of radiation received. It can provide an independent check that the dose of radiation delivered matches the dose calculated for patients receiving radiotherapy as part of their cancer treatment. The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical use of in vivo dosimeters for brachytherapy. Two types of dosimeters will be used; micro metal oxide field effect transistors (microMOSFETs) and Thermoluminescent detectors (TLDs). These will be placed into the rectum (back passage), urethra (the tube through which urine leave the body from the bladder) and within or near (typically within a few centimetres) to the cancer itself. These devices will record the dose of radiation received at the time of brachytherapy at each of these sites and we will compare that measurement with the expected measurement based on the calculations we made in planning the patient's treatment.