A comparison of electron beam dose calculation accuracy between treatment planning systems using either a pencil beam or a Monte Carlo algorithm

Conclusions: The accuracy of the pencil beam calculations is difficult to predict because it depends on both the inhomogeneity geometry and location. The pencil beam calculations using CADPLAN result in large errors in phantoms containing three-dimensional type inhomogeneities. The Monte Carlo method in Theraplan Plus dose calculation module is shown to be more robust in accurately predicting dose distributions and monitor units under the tested conditions.