April 2016 Vol. 4 No.4

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Original Research Article

Comparison of Room Scatter Factors Using Diodes and an Ion Chamber by Multiple Distance Method and Air Kerma Rate Determination

Jumaa Dachi K.¹ and Koleleni Yusuf I. A.^2*

¹Ocean Road Cancer Research Institute (ORCI), P. O. Box 3592, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
²Physics Department, University of Dare s Salaam, P. O. Box 35063, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

*Corresponding Author’s Email: ykoleleni@gmail.com

Accepted April 11, 2016

Abstract

At ORCI, the Co-60 source with two gamma rays having energies of 1.17 MeV and 1.33 MeV which are is used for treatment of cancer of gynaecological malignancies in the HDR brachytherapy unit. The Room Scatter Factor, K_scatter suitable to a treatment room must be known before determination of reference air Kerma rate. This is because K_scatter depend on the geometry set up of the source to chamber and immediate environment (IAEA, TECDOC1274, Faiz 2010). The ⁶⁰Co source with an activity of about 2.0 Ci was installed in the treatment unit at the ORCI. The room scatter factor need to be known in order to determine reference Air Kerma Strength, K_R. The objective of this study was to determine room scatter factor suitable for Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy room and is reported in this paper.

Keywords: Cancer treatment, Cobalt-60, Kerma, ORCI, UDSM