Researchers at Dartmouth College and Moffitt Cancer Center have developed a calibration technique for Cherenkov dosimetry, a method for measuring radiation doses in cancer treatment that relies on Cherenkov light emitted during X-ray interactions with tissue. Their study, published in *Physics in Medicine & Biology*, addresses the issue of dosage measurement accuracy affected by skin pigmentation. They found that patients with darker skin exhibit significantly lower Cherenkov emissions, which can lead to inaccurate dose estimates. By using color photography to assess skin luminance and CT scans to account for subsurface tissue properties, the researchers were able to create individualized calibration factors that significantly improved the accuracy of dosage estimates. The application of this calibration reduced dose estimation errors by up to 62%. The study highlights the potential for integrating this method into clinical workflows, which aims to enhance the safety and effectiveness of radiotherapy treatments across diverse patient populations.
Mon, 21 Jul 2025 20:31:59 GMT | Physics World