TABLE 1.

Characteristics of phantoms commonly used to measure out‐of‐field doses and radiobiological response versus the universal quasi‐humanoid (Q‐H) phantom

	Descriptions	Assumptions
Type	Phantom material/size/elements	Measure point and type of detectors	Radiobiology response	Repositioning/RT techniques/cost	References
Simple phantom	Water scanning tanks/one size, different water levels/one element	To perform many scans, in various planes for a variety of detectors (most often waterproof active detectors) along and across radiation beams for static/gantry fixed fields	Great freedom for positioning (limitation only at the phantom edges), special inserts and fixation required	Large sizes limit freedom of positioning/only gantry fixed techniques/low cost—usually equipped in the department, possible costs related to inserts and immobilization	13 , 14 , 15
	Water filled/different sizes available/one element	Special guides and fixation/holder required for positioning detectors (waterproof or required inserts)	Great freedom for positioning (limitation only at the phantom edges), special inserts and fixation required	Detector positioning system required/possible advanced techniques/low cost	1 , 2 , 5 , 16
	Solid phantoms/different size/many elements/enabled shape and size matching to ensure approximate dispersion in the patient's body	Limitation on the location of the detectors at any point, the need for special inserts for detectors/passive and some active	Requires significant reconstruction and special inserts	Repeatability issues in arranging the constructed structure/advanced techniques possible/low cost—usually equipped in the department, possible cost related to inserts and immobilization	10 , 11 , 12 , 17 , 18
Complex phantom	Anthropomorphic (adult or children)/one size/many elements/complex shape and contours of human anatomy with heterogeneities such as lungs and bony anatomy	Limitation on the location of the detectors at any point, usually passive (Gafchromic, TLD), use of other methods requires significant reconstruction	Requires significant reconstruction and special inserts	Repeatable positioning (IGRT system)/advanced techniques possible/high cost	13 , 19 , 20
	Q‐H phantom/different size/many elements/PMMA with elements of bone, lung and soft tissues, and water/main body and head and neck	Large degree of freedom in positioning (limited to 1 cm along and in height and 2.5 cm across of the active detectors in the inserts—part of the slab phantom)/most passive and active	Wide degree of freedom for positioning in a water container (limitations only at the phantom edges)	Repeatable positioning (IGRT system)/advanced techniques possible/low cost	Present study (Q‐H phantom)

Abbreviations: IGRT, image‐guided radiotherapy; PMMA, poly(methyl) methacrylate; RT, radiotherapy; TLD, thermoluminescent dosimeters.