Dose Calculations – Week 2 – SSD Only

A linear accelerator is calibrated to deliver 1cGy for 1 MU at 1.5cm depth, with an SSD of 100cm and a
field size of 10x10cm.

1. If the output delivered at 100cm SSD at 1.5cm depth is 1.000cGy/MU. What is the output
delivered at 200cm SSD and a depth of 1.5cm?
2. What is the dmax dose if a 20x20cm field with an SSD of 100cm delivers 200cGy to a depth of
10cm [PDD(10cm) = 66.6%]?
3. If the output for a 35x35cm field at dmax is 1.036cGy/MU, what is the output at 10cm depth
[PDD(10cm)=66.6%]?
4. How many MU are needed to deliver 200cGy at 5cm depth with a 10x10cm field
[PDD(5cm)=85.8%, Scp=1.000]?
5. A patient’s treatment MU are calculated to be delivered at 100cm SSD at a depth of dmax. The
optical distance indicator (ODI) is mis-calibrated by 2cm, the resulting SSD = 98cm. Does the
dose increase/decrease and by how much?
6. What is the Mayneord F Factor equation and why is it used?
7. For a single spine field, treated with 6MV (dmax = 1.5cm) to a depth of 5cm at 100cm SSD. What
is the Mayneord F Factor for the following extended SSD setups?
a. 110cm
b. 120cm
c. 130cm
d. 140cm
e. 150cm
8. If the dose rate in free space at a distance of 80.5cm is 122.2cGy/min, what would be the dose
rate in free space at 100.5cm?
9. If the dose rate in free space at a distance of 100cm is 200cGy/min, how far do you need to be
from the source so the dose rate does not exceed 10cGy/min?
10. For an SSD treatment with a 6MV x-ray beam, what is the MU setting to deliver 300cGy at the
100% isodose line for a 15x15cm field size at 10cm depth and 100cm SSD? [PDD(10) = 70%,
Sc=1.03, Sp=1.026, Dmax = 1cGy/MU @ 100cm SSD]
11. In regards to question #10, what is the given dose (dose at dmax)?
12. In regards to question #10, what is the dose at 20cm deep if PDD(20)=40%?

Use the beam data tables, located on the last page of this homework assignment, to complete
the remaining questions. The linear accelerator is calibrated to deliver 1cGy for 1MU at 1.5cm
depth with a 10x10cm field size at 100cm SSD.

13. What is Sc, Sp, and Scp for a 10x15cm field?

14. How many MU are needed to delivery 180cGy at the 100% isodose line to a calculation point at
15cm depth for a 10x15cm field at 100cm SSD?
15. Using interpolation, what is the PDD for 12cm square field at 9.7cm depth?
16. How many MU are needed to delivery 200cGy at 100% isodose line to a calculation point at 7cm
depth, and 3cm off axis, for a 12x12cm field at 100cm SSD?
17. If a 10x10cm field requires 200 MU to delivery 180cGy to your prescription point, what are the
new MU if a 30 degree upper wedge is inserted into the field to deliver the same 180cGy to the
prescription point?
18. How many MU are needed for the RLAT beam (from a RLAT/LLAT opposed pair field
arrangement) if the prescription is 300cGy at the 97% isodose line is delivered to a calculation
point 7.5cm deep for a 20x20cm field size, SSD of 100cm, and a 50/50 beam weighting?
19. If 325 MU are needed to delivery 300cGy on a pelvic case; 20x20cm field with a 45 degree upper
wedge. What dose is delivered if the therapists don’t insert the wedge?
20. A PA spine patient was planned to be treated at 5cm depth at 100cm SSD. What are the MU for
a 5x12cm field if the prescription is 300cGy at 100% isodose line?
21. Regarding question #20, what is the dose delivered to the prescription point if the therapists set
the patient up at 95cm SSD and a depth of 5cm; rather than 100cm SSD?