Advanced metrology for cancer therapy. Proceedings

Physical treatments play a central role in cancer therapy. Metrology is reasonably well-established for only some of these techniques: several modern forms of treatment (IMRT, hadron therapy, HITU, brachytherapy) suffer from the limited support of traceable metrology which restricts the success of these techniques. The European Union recognised this deficit and identified metrology for health as one of the first four Targeted Programmes in the framework of the European Metrology Research Programme (EMRP), running from 2008 to 2011. The programme included two EMRP projects which address metrology for cancer therapy: - project T2.J06 deals with brachytherapy - project T2.J07 deals with external beam cancer therapy using ionising radiation and highintensity ultrasound Primary measurement standards applicable to modern treatment conditions are being developed under both projects, together with measurement techniques which are meant as a basis of future protocols for dosimetry, treatment planning and monitoring. This three-day scientific conference provides a platform for the presentation of current developments in clinical measurement techniques for cancer therapy, together with the achievements of these projects, under the headings: - Primary and secondary standards of absorbed dose to water for IMRT and brachytherapy - 3D dose distributions and treatment planning for IMRT and brachytherapy - Hadron therapy (protons and carbon ions) - High Intensity Therapeutic Ultrasound (HITU) The aim of the conference is to provide a forum for the exchange of information and expertise in the community of medical physicists and metrologists at the European level. The conference programme includes 4 keynote talks by invited speakers as well as 59 proffered papers and posters.