What does AKS stand for in the context of brachytherapy?

In the context of brachytherapy, AKS stands for Air Kerma Strength. This measurement is critical as it quantifies the strength of a radioactive source in terms of the energy delivered to air. Specifically, air kerma strength reflects how much energy is delivered to a small volume of air from a radioactive source, which is essential for determining the appropriate dosimetry for patient treatment.

The significance of air kerma strength lies in its use for calibrating radioactive sources to ensure safe and effective doses during brachytherapy procedures. By measuring how much energy the source emits in air, medical dosimetrists can calculate the dose delivered to the target tissue and surrounding healthy tissues, thereby optimizing the treatment plan.

This concept is fundamental for ensuring accurate dose delivery in brachytherapy, making it essential knowledge for medical dosimetrists and radiation oncologists.