Radiotherapy dosimeters used at the Centre of Oncology in Warsaw during the period 1932-2000

Abstract

Purpose

Presentation of characteristics, construction, functioning and clinical applications of radiotherapy dosimeters which were in use at the Centre of Oncology during the period 1932-2000, since the opening of the Radium Institute at the Wawelska Street in Warsaw.

Material and methods

Various dosimeters used at the Centre of Oncology, still in the possession of the Medical Physics Department, together with additional accessories and old measurement protocols are presented. A method of selective discription of various physical parameters, elements of construction and principles of functioning was applied, in order to be able to compare various dosimeters and highlight the similarities and differences.

Results

Detailed descriptions were prepared for all dosimeters, together with photographs, and schematic illustrations of their construction and circuitry.

Summary

The present study consisting of a series of dosimeter descriptions is a unique material concerning the dosimetry equipment in use in poland over the last 70 years. It is one of very few such studies in Europe.