IAEA Strengthens Global Cancer Care Through Precision Radiation Dosimetry

As radiation therapy becomes increasingly sophisticated and more widely available, dosimetry remains the foundation of safe and effective treatment.

Radiation therapy remains one of the most effective tools in the fight against cancer, saving lives by destroying tumours with carefully targeted high-energy radiation. But because radiotherapy depends on delivering precise doses to specific parts of the body, accuracy is critical. Even small errors in radiation dose can reduce treatment effectiveness or increase harmful side effects.

That is why dosimetry — the science of measuring radiation doses — plays a vital role in ensuring patient safety and high-quality cancer care worldwide.

Why Dosimetry Matters in Cancer Treatment

Dosimetry ensures that patients receive exactly the amount of radiation prescribed during:

• Radiotherapy

• Diagnostic imaging

• Nuclear medicine procedures

Reliable dose measurement is essential for delivering effective tumour control while protecting healthy tissue.

“Calibration ensures that medical facilities can measure doses accurately. Audits verify that doses are calculated and delivered accurately,” said Zakithi Msimang, an IAEA medical radiation physicist.

Together, these services allow hospitals to treat cancer patients safely and consistently, regardless of where they live.

Six Decades of Global Support from Seibersdorf

For more than 60 years, the IAEA Dosimetry Laboratory in Seibersdorf, Austria — established in 1961 — has helped countries strengthen the accuracy of their radiation measurements.

Through:

• Calibration services

• Dose audit programmes

• Training and workshops

• Scientific guidance and standards

the laboratory supports cancer centres worldwide in delivering safe, accurate radiation therapy.

This work is especially important as radiotherapy expands in low- and middle-income countries where quality assurance systems may still be developing.

Modernization Milestone: Curie-Meitner Nuclear Applications Centre

In October 2025, the IAEA inaugurated the Curie-Meitner Nuclear Applications Centre, completing a major modernization effort under the Renovation of the Nuclear Applications Laboratories (ReNuAL2) project.

The new facility represents a major upgrade to the IAEA’s nuclear science infrastructure, strengthening global support for the peaceful use of nuclear technologies — including cancer care.

The modernized centre enables:

• Improved calibration capabilities

• More advanced dosimetry tools

• Stronger scientific collaboration

• Innovation in radiation measurement and safety

Evolution of Dosimetry Audits and Calibration

The IAEA’s dosimetry services have evolved significantly over the decades.

Early postal dose audits began in the mid-1960s, using Fricke dosimeters and thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs). TLD-based audits became the global standard due to their:

• Precision

• Low cost

• Ease of shipment

In 2017, the IAEA modernized its systems by replacing ageing TLD readers with radiophotoluminescent dosimetry (RPLD) technology, improving accuracy and efficiency.

Calibration services have also expanded beyond early air-based measurements to include:

• Absorbed dose to water using cobalt-60 photon beams

• High-dose-rate brachytherapy calibration

• X-ray calibration for radiotherapy and diagnostic radiology

These advances help keep pace with rapidly evolving cancer treatment technologies.

Strengthening Capabilities in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

A major focus of the IAEA is supporting countries where access to safe radiotherapy remains limited.

The IAEA works with the International Centre for Theoretical Physics to offer postgraduate education, including:

• Master of Advanced Studies in Medical Physics

• From 2026, a Master of Advanced Studies in Radiation Metrology

These programmes primarily serve students from low- and middle-income countries, helping build the next generation of specialists.

The Agency also supports:

• Regional and national training courses

• Hands-on workshops

• Collaborating centres and Rays of Hope anchor centres

• Expert technical networks

Driving Innovation Through Research Collaboration

The modernization of Seibersdorf has strengthened the laboratory’s ability to innovate and respond to new challenges in radiation therapy.

IAEA Coordinated Research Projects (CRPs) are advancing work in areas such as:

• Brachytherapy dosimetry

• Diagnostic radiology measurement

• Doctoral research in radiation metrology

The IAEA also promotes collaboration through the IAEA/WHO Secondary Standards Dosimetry Laboratory (SSDL) Network, ensuring laboratories worldwide do not work in isolation.

Future Trends: Closing the Technology-Measurement Gap

Looking ahead, Zakithi Msimang highlighted a key global challenge: technology is advancing faster than measurement protocols.

New radiotherapy and imaging systems are often introduced before globally accepted calibration standards exist.

Closing this gap will require early collaboration among:

• Equipment manufacturers

• Regulators

• Metrology institutes

• Hospitals

• International organisations

Ensuring accurate measurement from the start is essential for patient safety.

Precision Dosimetry as a Foundation of Safe Cancer Care

As radiation therapy becomes increasingly sophisticated and more widely available, dosimetry remains the foundation of safe and effective treatment.

Through its laboratory services, global standards, training programmes and modernized facilities, the IAEA is helping ensure that cancer patients everywhere — from major urban hospitals to emerging treatment centres — receive radiation doses that are accurate, safe and life-saving.