6 MV光子束有无均整器的剂量学特性研究

目的 研究直线加速器去掉均整器后6 MV光子束的剂量学特性,并与有均整器的情况下比较,为临床应用提供依据。方法 采集瓦里安Trilogy 6 MV光子束在有均整器(FF)(用6X FF表示)和去掉均整器(FFF)(用6X FFF表示)后的剂量学数据,比较两者百分深度剂量(PDD)、离轴剂量分布(Profile)、表面相对剂量(PDD_{1 mm})、射野外相对剂量、总输出因子(S_cp)。结果 6X FF的最大剂量深度(d_max)在3 cm×3 cm至15 cm×15 cm射野时为1.4 cm,在20 cm×20 cm射野后变为1.2 cm,30 cm×30 cm后变为1.0 cm,而6X FFF的d_max为1.2 cm且不随射野大小变化。在大于d_max后,同一深度6X FFF的PDD比6X FF的小,但两者差距随射野和深度变化不明显,在3 cm×3 cm射野5 cm深度处6X FFF的PDD比6X FF的小2.4,在40 cm×40 cm射野30 cm深度处6X FFF的PDD比6X...     

基于EPID采用参数化梯度法测定光子束射野边界

【摘 要】 目的:探究参数化梯度方法（PGM）测量电子射野影像系统（EPID）光子束射野大小的可行性。 方法:PGM通过一个修改的双曲正切函数拟合Profile半影区。瓦里安EDGE机载aS1200采集6 MV和10 MV FF及FFF射束EPID数据,TrueBeam机载aS1000采集6 MV FF射束EPID数据。γ分析1 mm/1%标准量化PGM拟合Profile半影区与EPID测量半影区一致性。比较半高宽方法与PGM测量的FF射束射野大小,比较最大斜率方法与PGM测量的FFF射束射野大小;比较PGM在不同射束能量、不同EPID探测器类型和引入铅门位置误差后测量射野边界的稳定性和扩展性。 结果:半影区PGM拟合与EPID实测数据Pearson相关系数大于0.999,γ值小于0.2。FF射束,半高宽方法测定射野均大于PGM,且随着射野增大而增大,Profile本影去除后,两种方法测量差值显著减小;FFF射束,最大斜率方法与PGM测定射野大小差值在0.1 mm以内。PGM能够稳定测量不同能量、不同模态、不同EPID探测器类型射野边界,能够准确识别铅门1 mm位置变动。 结论:PGM可作为一种鲁棒通用的方法适用于EPID光子束射野质量保障。     

医科达Precise直线加速器高能电子束的射野输出剂量特性

目的:研究不同大小射野挡铅对高能电子束射野输出剂量的影响,并讨论不同源皮距的变化规律.方法:在医科达直线加速器上对标称能量4MeV～18MeV共六档高能电子束不同源皮距时测量各限光筒附加射野挡铅的输出因子.结果:因自动跟随限光筒的X线准直器的设置对各能量各限光筒不同,各标准限光筒野输出因子与射野变化无确定规律;它随能量增加而减小,小野6 cm×6 cm却相反.各限光筒加挡铅射野的输出在小野时变化较大,射野直径与能量射程的差别大小影响输出因子的变化快慢.对不同限光筒形成的相同挡铅射野因子对低能大限光筒值更大,高能相反.延长源皮距仍基本遵循以上3个结论,且延长源皮距更高能量较小射野的输出下降更迅速.     

直线加速器均整和非均整模式下射线质和射野输出因子的蒙特卡罗模拟与实测值比较

目的:利用蒙特卡罗方法分别模拟True Beam直线加速器6 MV均整和非均整(Flattening Filter-Free,FFF)模式,计算其射线质和射野输出因子,并比较上述参数与实际测量结果的差异。方法:利用Beamnrc和Dosxyznrc程序建立加速器机头模型并计算两档能量在参考条件下不同射野的剂量学数据。输出上述数据,计算各个射野射线质与实际测量值的相对偏差,对其绝对值做统计分析;利用各个射野中心轴上水下10 cm处的剂量值获取射野输出因子,并计算与测量值的相对偏差,绝对化后做统计分析。结果:6 MV和6FFF两档能量射线质相对偏差绝对值分别为(0.459±0.462)%和(0.486±0.300)%,射野输出因子相对偏差绝对值分别为(1.315±1.868)%和(0.904±1.214)%。结论:该模型的射线质和输出因子与测量结果相对偏差较小,基本可用于临床剂量学研究。     

有无均整器模式下臂架与准直器不同角度条件下的剂量学比较

目的:探讨臂架或准直器角度的改变对均整（FF）与非均整（FFF）两种模式的射线剂量的影响。方法:选用Versa HD直线加速器配备的6 MV/10 MV光子束FF/FFF模式4档能量在设定好九点位置的10 cm×10 cm标准射野内进行实验。首先,借助IMF等中心夹具将Mapcheck2固定于治疗机机头,并用Mapcheck2测量相同臂架与准直器角度条件下4种光子束输出的平面剂量值;其次,用Mapcheck2测量在相同臂架角度、不同准直器角度与相同准直器角度、不同臂架角度两种条件下4种光子束的中心轴剂量值;最后,固定准直器为0°,设立两组臂架对穿射野（0°与180°,90°与270°）。拆除Mapcheck2,采用固体水和FC65-G电离室建立一个测量模体来测量4种光子束在两组等中心对穿野的剂量。运用SPSS统计软件对该实验收集到的数据进行对比分析。结果:在相同臂架与准直器角度条件下,4种光子束辐照9个点的平面剂量之间均存在明显统计学差异（P6 MV FF =0.020, P6 MV FFF=0.017, P10 MV FF =0.030, P10 MV FFF=0.016）;而不同臂架角度或不同准直器角度条件下,4种能量光子束的中心轴点剂量值均无统计学差异。在0°与180°的对穿野,4种能量光子束的输出剂量存在统计学差异（P6 MV FF =0.001, P6 MV FFF=0.002, P10 MV FF =0.003, P10 MV FFF=0.001）,而在90°与270°的对穿野无统计学差异。结论:Versa HD直线加速器拥有优良的机械等中心性能。在实际工作时,臂架和准直器的旋转,均不影响光子束的中心轴剂量的准确输出。在FF模式下,射线能量越高,受治疗床影响越小;FFF模式射线由于射线质软,能量越高,更易受到治疗床的衰减作用,在实际中应引起重视。     

Varian Edge均整和非均整模式下6 MV和10 MV光子线能谱研究

目的:研究Varian Edge均整(FF)和非均整(FFF)模式下6 MV和10 MV光子线能谱并对比其差异。方法:利用蒙特卡洛程序软件包EGSnrc/Beamnrc建立Varian Edge 6 MV FF和FFF、10 MV FF和FFF的加速器模型,模拟所对应的相空间文件,而后以相空间作为输入源,利用DOSXYZnrc计算其在水体模中的剂量分布,并与三维水箱的测量数据比对,当模拟值与测量值之间的差异在1%之内时,利用Beamdp分析此时的相空间文件,得到对应的光子线能谱,并比较相互之间的差异。结果:模拟的百分深度剂量曲线和离轴比曲线与测量值之间的差异在1%之内。相对于FF模式,FFF模式的能谱"软化",其中6 MV FFF的平均能量从1.587 MeV下降至1.172 MeV,低能(能量≤1 MeV)光子所占的份额由41.06%上升至60.04%;而10 MV FFF的平均能量从2.796 MeV下降至1.956 MeV,低能光子所占的份额由21.22%上升至44.63%。同一射野内FFF模式的能谱随离轴距离的改变较小,同时每初始粒子所引起的能量注量是FF模式的2～4倍,射野内的能量注量分布变得不均匀,非平坦度F上升;分析不同射野下的能谱发现FFF模式的机头散射较少。结论:本研究结果对理解FFF模式下光子线的物理特性提供了非常好的参考价值。     

放射治疗中医用直线加速器光子能量合成方法

目的：分析一种利用高低两档能量光子拟合任意中间能量光子的方法，并与现有方法进行对比。方法：百分深度剂量曲线（PDD）和离轴剂量分布曲线（OCR）是影响光子射束数据模型计算精度的两个重要特征参数。使用Varian Truebeam直线加速器模型中金标准射束数据6和15 MV射束的PDD和OCR数据，采用最小二乘拟合方法拟合中间能量10 MV射束，与金标准数据10 MV射束数据比较分析，并与其他拟合方法进行对比，证明该方法的可行性和有效性。基于三维仿真水模体数据和不同肿瘤部位的实际病例数据实验，进一步验证合成能量方法的准确性。结果：相比只考虑PDD数据的能量拟合方法，本研究方法得到的合成能量10 MV与金标准数据10 MV光子束相比，各尺寸射野下PDD的均方根误差有所增加，但均小于1%，而OCR的均方根误差明显减小（特别是20 cm以上的射野），均小于0.5%。三维仿真水模体数据和实际患者数据测试例实验结果优于只考虑PDD数据的能量拟合方法。结论：利用PDD和OCR数据合成光子能量方法的效果较仅使用PDD数据的方法更好，合成能量光子与实际10 MV光子之间PDD和OCR差异较小，基于三维仿...     

国产NT-AD200型三维水箱射束扫描性能验证

目的:全面了解中国测试技术研究院NT-AD200型三维水箱的射束扫描精度与性能。 方法:以德国IBA公司Blue Phantom 2三维水箱为参照,分别使用NT-AD200型三维水箱与Blue Phantom 2三维水箱对美国瓦里安公司TrueBeam医用直线加速器进行6 MV光子线剂量学数据采集。测量源皮距为100 cm和不同射野大小条件下的百分深度剂量（PDD）曲线,比较分析各相同射野条件下不同深度的离轴比（OAR）曲线。 结果:与进口设备相比,在机械控制及易用性方面,NT-AD200还存在着一定的差距。在射束扫描性能方面,以Blue Phantom 2数据为基准,PDD建成区以外剂量偏差均值均小于1%,标准差小于0.3%,建成区最大剂量偏差出现在（3×3） cm2射野大小,为-5.23%±7.41%。OAR曲线80%射野大小范围内偏差均值均小于1%,标准差小于0.3%;80%~120%射野大小范围内（半影区）剂量偏差均值均小于1%,但标准差为0.51%~1.31%;120%射野大小范围以外NT-AD200型水箱的OAR比Blue Phantom 2水箱均偏大1%左右。 结论:NT-AD200型三维水箱与Blue Phantom 2三维水箱采集的剂量学数据有很好的一致性,射束扫描性能与进口设备相当。     

均整与非均整模式下TrueBeam加速器治疗床对放疗剂量的影响

目的:探讨均整(FF)与非均整(FFF)模式下瓦里安TrueBeam加速器全碳纤维治疗床对模体中心和表面剂量的影响。方法:将30 cm×30 cm×20 cm的固体水模分别放置于治疗床薄、中、厚段上,模体的中心与加速器等中心重合,德国IBA FC65-G电离室测量等中心的剂量;选取6/10 MV光子束FF/FFF模式4档能量,10 cm×10 cm标准射野,等中心照射,以机架转角0°～80°(间隔10°采样)为参考,计算100°～180°范围与对应角度参考剂量的比值得到对应角度的穿透因子;将EBT3胶片分别置于上述模体表面和底部,对应机架角度为0°和180°,分析相应的百分深度剂量。结果:4档光子束能量下治疗床薄、中、厚段位置穿透因子范围分别为0.956 6～1.000 0、0.955 4～1.000 0和0.954 8～1.000 0,薄中段在6 MV-FFF120°时最小,厚段在6 MV-FFF 130°时最小。与0°照射相比,180°照射6 MV-FFF、6 MV、10 MV-FFF和10 MV X射线表面剂量从30.6%、24.1%、18.3%和14.1%分别增加到95.4%、93%、83%和79.6%。结论:治疗床的存在减少肿瘤剂量、增加表面剂量,FFF模式较FF影响更大,在治疗计划系统中加入虚拟床减小了治疗床引起的剂量学影响。     

蒙特卡罗方法研究均整器对6MVX线能谱的影响

目的：用蒙特卡罗方法计算Varian Trilogy加速器无均整器条件下6MVX射线能谱。分析均整器对能谱的影响。方法：先用BEAMnrc分别模拟计算Varian Trilogy加速器6MV射线在具备均整器和无均整器条件下,方野边长分别为4cm、6cm、8cm、10cm、20cm和40cm时的相空间文件。以相空间文件为输入用BEAMDP分析光子能谱。结果：无均整器条件下光子注量增大,在光子能谱峰值附近最明显．射野边长为4cm时去掉均整器后光子注量增加的最多为6．284倍,随着射野增大增加倍数减小,射野边长为40cm时最小为2．398倍．无均整器条件下光子谱峰值能量降低,光子谱整体左移,平均能量明显减小。结论：去除均整器后,加速器的输出光子能谱发生较大变化。随之剂量特性发生改变,临床上可能产生一定的获益或未知情况,尚需要进一步的研究支持。     

A Monte Carlo model for out-of-field dose calculation from high-energy photon therapy

As cancer therapy becomes more efficacious and patients survive longer, the potential for late effects increases, including effects induced by radiation dose delivered away from the treatment site. This out-of-field radiation is of particular concern with high-energy radiotherapy, as neutrons are produced in the accelerator head. We recently developed an accurate Monte Carlo model of a Varian 2100 accelerator using MCNPX for calculating the dose away from the treatment field resulting from low-energy therapy. In this study, we expanded and validated our Monte Carlo model for high-energy (18 MV) photon therapy, including both photons and neutrons. Simulated out-of-field photon doses were compared with measurements made with thermoluminescent dosimeters in an acrylic phantom up to 55 cm from the central axis. Simulated neutron fluences and energy spectra were compared with measurements using moderated gold foil activation in moderators and data from the literature. The average local difference between the calculated and measured photon dose was 17%, including doses as low as 0.01% of the central axis dose. The out-of-field photon dose varied substantially with field size and distance from the edge of the field but varied little with depth in the phantom, except at depths shallower than 3 cm, where the dose sharply increased. On average, the difference between the simulated and measured neutron fluences was 19% and good agreement was observed with the neutron spectra. The neutron dose equivalent varied little with field size or distance from the central axis but decreased with depth in the phantom. Neutrons were the dominant component of the out-of-field dose equivalent for shallow depths and large distances from the edge of the treatment field. This Monte Carlo model is useful to both physicists and clinicians when evaluating out-of-field doses and associated potential risks.     

An end-to-end examination of geometric accuracy of IGRT using a new digital accelerator equipped with onboard imaging system

The Varian's new digital linear accelerator (LINAC), TrueBeam STx, is equipped with a high dose rate flattening filter free (FFF) mode (6 MV and 10 MV), a high definition multileaf collimator (2.5 mm leaf width), as well as onboard imaging capabilities. A series of end-to-end phantom tests were performed, TrueBeam-based image guided radiation therapy (IGRT), to determine the geometric accuracy of the image-guided setup and dose delivery process for all beam modalities delivered using intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and RapidArc. In these tests, an anthropomorphic phantom with a Ball Cube II insert and the analysis software (FilmQA (3cognition)) were used to evaluate the accuracy of TrueBeam image-guided setup and dose delivery. Laser cut EBT2 films with 0.15 mm accuracy were embedded into the phantom. The phantom with the film inserted was first scanned with a GE Discovery-ST CT scanner, and the images were then imported to the planning system. Plans with steep dose fall off surrounding hypothetical targets of different sizes were created using RapidArc and IMRT with FFF and WFF (with flattening filter) beams. Four RapidArc plans (6 MV and 10 MV FFF) and five IMRT plans (6 MV and 10 MV FFF; 6 MV, 10 MV and 15 MV WFF) were studied. The RapidArc plans with 6 MV FFF were planned with target diameters of 1 cm (0.52 cc), 2 cm (4.2 cc) and 3 cm (14.1 cc), and all other plans with a target diameter of 3 cm. Both onboard planar and volumetric imaging procedures were used for phantom setup and target localization. The IMRT and RapidArc plans were then delivered, and the film measurements were compared with the original treatment plans using a gamma criteria of 3%/1 mm and 3%/2 mm. The shifts required in order to align the film measured dose with the calculated dose distributions was attributed to be the targeting error. Targeting accuracy of image-guided treatment using TrueBeam was found to be within 1 mm. For irradiation of the 3 cm target, the gammas (3%, 1 mm) were found to be above 90% in all plan deliveries. For irradiations of smaller targets (2 cm and 1 cm), similar accuracy was achieved for 6 MV and 10 MV beams. Slightly degraded accuracy was observed for irradiations with higher energy beam (15 MV). In general, gammas (3%, 2 mm) were found to be above 97% for all the plans. Our end-to-end tests showed an excellent relative dosimetric agreement and sub-millimeter targeting accuracy for 6 MV and 10 MV beams, using both FFF and WFF delivery methods. However, increased deviations in spatial and dosimetric accuracy were found when treating lesions smaller than 2 cm or with 15 MV beam.     

Conformal photon-beam therapy with transverse magnetic fields: a Monte Carlo study

This work studies the idea of using strong transverse magnetic (B) fields with high-energy photon beams to enhance dose distributions for conformal radiotherapy. EGS4 Monte Carlo code is modified to incorporate charged particle transport in B fields and is used to calculate effects of B fields on dose distributions for a variety of high-energy photon beams. Two types of hypothetical B fields, curl-free linear fields and dipole fields, are used to demonstrate the idea. The major results from the calculation for the linear B fields are: (1) strong transverse B fields (> 1 T) with high longitudinal gradients (G) (> 0.5 T/cm) can produce dramatic dose enhancement as well as dose reduction in localized regions for high-energy photon beams; (2) the magnitude of the enhancement (reduction) and the geometric extension and the location of this enhancement (reduction) depend on the strength and gradient of the B field, and photon-beam energy; (3) for a given B field, the dose enhancement generally increases with photon-beam energy; (4) for a 5 T B field with infinite longitudinal gradient (solenoidal field), up to 200% of dose enhancement and 40% of dose reduction were obtained along the central axis of a 15 MV photon beam; and (5) a 60% of dose enhancement was observed over a 2 cm depth region for the 15 MV beam when B = 5 T and G = 2.5 T/cm. These results are also observed, qualitatively, in the calculation with the dipole B fields. Calculations for a variety of B fields and beam configurations show that, by employing a well-designed B field in photon-beam radiotherapy, it is possible to achieve a significant dose enhancement within the target, while obtaining a substantial dose reduction over critical structures.     

A direction-selective flattening filter for clinical photon beams. Monte Carlo evaluation of a new concept

A new concept for the design of flattening filters applied in the generation of 6 and 15 MV photon beams by clinical linear accelerators is evaluated by Monte Carlo simulation. The beam head of the Siemens Primus accelerator has been taken as the starting point for the study of the conceived beam head modifications. The direction-selective filter (DSF) system developed in this work is midway between the classical flattening filter (FF) by which homogeneous transversal dose profiles have been established, and the flattening filter-free (FFF) design, by which advantages such as increased dose rate and reduced production of leakage photons and photoneutrons per Gy in the irradiated region have been achieved, whereas dose profile flatness was abandoned. The DSF concept is based on the selective attenuation of bremsstrahlung photons depending on their direction of emission from the bremsstrahlung target, accomplished by means of newly designed small conical filters arranged close to the target. This results in the capture of large-angle scattered Compton photons from the filter in the primary collimator. Beam flatness has been obtained up to any field cross section which does not exceed a circle of 15 cm diameter at 100 cm focal distance, such as 10 × 10 cm(2), 4 × 14.5 cm(2) or less. This flatness offers simplicity of dosimetric verifications, online controls and plausibility estimates of the dose to the target volume. The concept can be utilized when the application of small- and medium-sized homogeneous fields is sufficient, e.g. in the treatment of prostate, brain, salivary gland, larynx and pharynx as well as pediatric tumors and for cranial or extracranial stereotactic treatments. Significant dose rate enhancement has been achieved compared with the FF system, with enhancement factors 1.67 (DSF) and 2.08 (FFF) for 6 MV, and 2.54 (DSF) and 3.96 (FFF) for 15 MV. Shortening the delivery time per fraction matters with regard to workflow in a radiotherapy department, patient comfort, reduction of errors due to patient movement and a slight, probably just noticable improvement of the treatment outcome due to radiobiological reasons. In comparison with the FF system, the number of head leakage photons per Gy in the irradiated region has been reduced at 15 MV by factors 1/2.54 (DSF) and 1/3.96 (FFF), and the source strength of photoneutrons was reduced by factors 1/2.81 (DSF) and 1/3.49 (FFF).     

Peripheral dose measurements for 6 and 18 MV photon beams on a linear accelerator with multileaf collimator

Peripheral dose (PD) to critical structures outside treatment volume is of clinical importance. The aim of the current study was to estimate PD on a linear accelerator equipped with multileaf collimator (MLC). Dose measurements were carried out using an ionization chamber embedded in a water phantom for 6 and 18 MV photon beams. PD values were acquired for field sizes from 5 x 5 to 20 x 20 cm2 in increments of 5 cm at distances up to 24 cm from the field edge. Dose data were obtained at two collimator orientations where the measurement points are shielded by MLC and jaws. The variation of PD with the source to skin distance (SSD), depth, and lateral displacement of the measurement point was evaluated. To examine the dependence of PD upon the tissue thickness at the entrance point of the beam, scattered dose was measured using thermoluminescent dosemeters placed on three anthropomorphic phantoms simulating 5- and 10-year-old children and an average adult patient. PD from 6 MV photons varied from 0.13% to 6.75% of the central-axis maximum dose depending upon the collimator orientation, extent of irradiated area, and distance from the treatment field. The corresponding dose range from 18 MV x rays was 0.09% to 5.61%. The variation of PD with depth and with lateral displacements up to 80% of the field dimension was very small. The scattered dose from both photon beams increased with the increase of SSD or tissue thickness along beam axis. The presented dosimetric data set allows the estimation of scattered dose outside the primary beam.     

Photonuclear dose calculations for high-energy photon beams from Siemens and Varian linacs

The dose from photon-induced nuclear particles (neutrons, protons, and alpha particles) generated by high-energy photon beams from medical linacs is investigated. Monte Carlo calculations using the MCNPX code are performed for three different photon beams from two different machines: Siemens 18 MV, Varian 15 MV, and Varian 18 MV. The linac head components are simulated in detail. The dose distributions from photons, neutrons, protons, and alpha particles are calculated in a tissue-equivalent phantom. Neutrons are generated in both the linac head and the phantom. This study includes (a) field size effects, (b) off-axis dose profiles, (c) neutron contribution from the linac head, (d) dose contribution from capture gamma rays, (e) phantom heterogeneity effects, and (f) effects of primary electron energy shift. Results are presented in terms of absolute dose distributions and also in terms of DER (dose equivalent ratio). The DER is the maximum dose from the particle (neutron, proton, or alpha) divided by the maximum photon dose, multiplied by the particle quality factor and the modulation scaling factor. The total DER including neutrons, protons, and alphas is about 0.66 cSv/Gy for the Siemens 18 MV beam (10 cm x 10 cm). The neutron DER decreases with decreasing field size while the proton (or alpha) DER does not vary significantly except for the 1 cm x 1 cm field. Both Varian beams (15 and 18 MV) produce more neutrons, protons, and alphas particles than the Siemens 18 MV beam. This is mainly due to their higher primary electron energies: 15 and 18.3 MeV, respectively, vs 14 MeV for the Siemens 18 MV beam. For all beams, neutrons contribute more than 75% of the total DER, except for the 1 cm x 1 cm field (approximately 50%). The total DER is 1.52 and 2.86 cSv/Gy for the 15 and 18 MV Varian beams (10 cm x 10 cm), respectively. Media with relatively high-Z elements like bone may increase the dose from heavy charged particles by a factor 4. The total DER is sensitive to primary electron energy shift. A Siemens 18 MV beam with 15 MeV (instead of 14 MeV) primary electrons would increase by 40% the neutron DER and by 210% the proton + alpha DER. Comparisons with measurements (neutron yields from different materials and neutron dose equivalent) are also presented. Using the NCRP risk assessment method, we found that the dose equivalent from leakage neutrons (at 50-cm off-axis distance) represent 1.1, 1.1, and 2.0% likelihood of fatal secondary cancer for a 70 Gy treatment delivered by the Siemens 18 MV, Varian 15 MV, and Varian 18 MV beams, respectively.     

Surface dosimetry for oblique tangential photon beams: a Monte Carlo simulation study

The effect of beam obliquity on the surface relative dose profiles for the tangential photon beams was studied. The 6 and 15 MV photon beams with 4 x 4 and 10 x 10 cm2 field sizes produced by a Varian 21 EX linear accelerator were used. Phase-space models of the photon beams were created using Monte Carlo simulations based on the EGSnrc code, and were verified using film measurements. The relative dose profiles in the phantom skin, at 2 mm depth from the surface of the half-phantom geometry, or HPG, were calculated for increasing gantry angles from 270 to 280 deg clockwise. Relative dose profiles of a full phantom enclosing the whole tangential beam (full phantom geometry, or FPG) were also calculated using Monte Carlo simulation as a control for comparison. The results showed that, although the relative dose profiles in the phantom skin did not change significantly with an oblique beam using a FPG, the surface relative depth dose was increased for the HPG. In the HPG, with 6 MV photon beams and field size = 10 x 10 cm2, when the beam angle, starting from 270 deg, was increased from 1 to 3 deg, the relative depth doses in the phantom skin were increased from 68% to 79% at 10 cm depth. This increase in dose was slightly larger than the dose from 15 MV photon beams with the same field size and beam angles, where the relative depth doses in phantom skin were increased from 81% to 87% at 10 cm depth. A parameter called the percent depth dose (PDD) ratio, defined as the relative depth dose from the HPG to the relative depth dose from the FPG at a given depth along the phantom skin, was used to evaluate the effect of the phantom-air interface. It is found that the PDD ratio increased significantly when the beam angle was changed from zero to 1-3 degrees. Moreover, the PDD ratio, for a given field size, experienced a greater increase for 6 MV than for 15 MV. For the same photon beam energy, the PDD ratio increased more with a 4 x 4 cm2 field compared to 10 x 10 cm2. The results in this study will be useful for physicists and dosimetrists to predict the surface relative dose variations when using clinical tangential-like photon beams in radiation therapy.