European research projects for metrology in Brachytherapy and External Beam Cancer Therapy

In 2008, within the framework of the European Metrology Research Programme (EMRP), two projects were launched with the central objective of providing reliable measuring techniques for the methods of modern cancer therapy using ionizing radiation - such as brachytherapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy and hadron therapy - and using high intensity therapeutic ultrasound. The two three-year projects are 'Increasing cancer treatment efficacy using 3D brachytherapy' (Brachytherapy) and 'External Beam Cancer Therapy' (EBCT). For these modern treatment methods there is an urgent requirement for establishing a sound metrological basis with regard to the radiation dose delivered and its spatial distribution. This paper gives a brief overview about the two projects' work, their goals and findings. The details of the projects' work and their outcomes are presented within these conference proceedings or in the cited publications. (authors)