Advances in Radiotherapy Dosimetry for Neuro-Oncology: From Film-Based Techniques to Emerging High-Precision Applications

Accurate radiation dose delivery is fundamental to safe and effective radiotherapy, particularly in neuro-oncology, where treatments often involve small targets, steep dose gradients, and close proximity to highly radiosensitive critical structures. Even minor uncertainties in dose measurement can have significant clinical consequences, underscoring the importance of robust, high-precision dosimetry for brain tumours and intracranial metastases.The field of radiotherapy dosimetry continues to evolve rapidly, driven by the increasing complexity of treatment techniques and the growing demand for accurate verification of delivered dose. Film-based dosimetry, including established and next-generation radiochromic film technologies, has long played a central role in high-resolution dose verification. At the same time, advances in detector design, calibration methodologies, scanner protocols, and data analysis approaches are reshaping best practices across clinical dosimetry.While newer generations of radiochromic films have shown early promise in improving sensitivity and reducing measurement uncertainty, particularly in low-dose and high-gradient regions, comprehensive evaluations of their clinical performance remain limited. In addition, key methodological factors such as response quantity selection, calibration functions, scanner protocols, and environmental stability continue to strongly influence dosimetric accuracy and reproducibility, especially in the context of intracranial radiotherapy.This Research Topic aims to bring together research addressing advances in radiotherapy dosimetry that are directly relevant to neuro-oncology. Contributions may focus on film-based dosimetry, but the scope is intentionally broader, encompassing dosimetric innovations across photon, proton, stereotactic, and ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) radiotherapy. Particular emphasis is placed on applications involving primary brain tumours and brain metastases, where precise dose verification is essential for treatment efficacy and neurological safety.The goal of this Research Topic is not only to evaluate emerging dosimetric tools and methodologies but also to foster discussion around best practices, standardisation, and clinical implementation. We anticipate that the collected works will serve as a valuable resource for clinicians, medical physicists, dosimetrists, and researchers seeking to improve the accuracy, reproducibility, and clinical relevance of radiation dose measurements in neuro-oncology. Submissions that link dosimetric advances to clinical decision-making, treatment planning, or patient outcomes in neuro-oncology are particularly encouraged.Potential topics include, but are not limited to:• Comparative studies of established and next-generation radiochromic film dosimetry in neuro-oncology and intracranial radiotherapy settings• Investigations into the impact of response quantities, calibration functions, scanner protocols, and environmental factors on dosimetric accuracy and uncertainty• Dosimetry for advanced neuro-oncology treatments, including stereotactic radiosurgery and stereotactic radiotherapy (e.g., Gamma Knife and linac-based SRS)• Dose verification challenges and solutions for proton therapy and FLASH radiotherapy in brain tumours and metastases• Research addressing dosimetric performance in low-dose regions and high-gradient intracranial dose distributions• Clinical implementation considerations, limitations, and quality assurance strategies for modern dosimetry approaches• Modelling, software integration, and workflow considerations when introducing new dosimetric technologies into neuro-oncology practicePlease note: Manuscripts consisting solely of bioinformatics, computational analyses, or predictions based on public databases, without accompanying validation (e.g., independent clinical or patient cohorts, or biological validation in vitro or in vivo), are not suitable for publication in this journal. Topic editors: Wan Nordiana Rahman, Faizal Mohamed, Hairil Rashmizal Abdul Razak Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/73373/advances-in-radiotherapy-dosimetry-for-neuro-oncology-from-film-based-techniques-to-emerging-high-precision-applications