Accuracy and precision of dosimetry required for radiotherapy and atomic, molecular and nuclear data affected on accuracy

The occurrence of normal tissue complications and probability of tumor control are steep functions of absorbed dose. It has been recommended, therefore, that the delivery of the dose to the patient should be performed with a precision better than +-2% and an overall uncertainty less than +-5%. This paper describes the sequence of dosimetry procedures to deliver the absorbed dose to the patient and the method of determining absorbed dose for x-ray, electron and neutron therapy. The uncertainties of physical parameters involved in dosimetry are discussed. (author)