1
|
Fleury E, Herault J, Spruijt K, Kouwenberg J, Angellier G, Hofverberg P, Horwacik T, Kajdrowicz T, Pignol JP, Hoogeman M, Trnková P. A generalized model for monitor units determination in ocular proton therapy using machine learning: A proof-of-concept study. Phys Med Biol 2024; 69:045023. [PMID: 38211314 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ad1d68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Objective.Determining and verifying the number of monitor units is crucial to achieving the desired dose distribution in radiotherapy and maintaining treatment efficacy. However, current commercial treatment planning system(s) dedicated to ocular passive eyelines in proton therapy do not provide the number of monitor units for patient-specific plan delivery. Performing specific pre-treatment field measurements, which is time and resource consuming, is usually gold-standard practice. This proof-of-concept study reports on the development of a multi-institutional-based generalized model for monitor units determination in proton therapy for eye melanoma treatments.Approach.To cope with the small number of patients being treated in proton centers, three European institutes participated in this study. Measurements data were collected to address output factor differences across the institutes, especially as function of field size, spread-out Bragg peak modulation width, residual range, and air gap. A generic model for monitor units prediction using a large number of 3748 patients and broad diversity in tumor patterns, was evaluated using six popular machine learning algorithms: (i) decision tree; (ii) random forest, (iii) extra trees, (iv) K-nearest neighbors, (v) gradient boosting, and (vi) the support vector regression. Features used as inputs into each machine learning pipeline were: Spread-out Bragg peak width, range, air gap, fraction and calibration doses. Performance measure was scored using the mean absolute error, which was the difference between predicted and real monitor units, as collected from institutional gold-standard methods.Main results.Predictions across algorithms were accurate within 3% uncertainty for up to 85.2% of the plans and within 10% uncertainty for up to 98.6% of the plans with the extra trees algorithm.Significance.A proof-of-concept of using machine learning-based generic monitor units determination in ocular proton therapy has been demonstrated. This could trigger the development of an independent monitor units calculation tool for clinical use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle Fleury
- Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Department of Radiotherapy, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- HollandPTC, Delft, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Tomasz Horwacik
- Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Tomasz Kajdrowicz
- Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | | | - Mischa Hoogeman
- Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Department of Radiotherapy, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- HollandPTC, Delft, The Netherlands
| | - Petra Trnková
- Erasmus Medical Center Cancer Institute, University Medical Center, Department of Radiotherapy, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Medical University of Vienna, Department of Radiation Oncology, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Jee KW, Verburg JM, Ruggieri TA, Bussière M, Trofimov AV. Modernization of safety environment for a dedicated beamline for proton ocular therapy. Med Phys 2023; 50:7093-7103. [PMID: 37782071 DOI: 10.1002/mp.16767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proton therapy is an effective treatment for ocular melanoma, and other tumors of the eye. The fixed horizontal beamline dedicated to ocular treatments at Massachusetts General Hospital was originally commissioned in 2002, with much of the equipment, safety features, and practices dating back to an earlier implementation at Harvard Cyclotron in the 1970s. PURPOSE To describe the experience of reevaluation and enhancement of the safety environment for one of the longest continuously operating proton therapy programs. METHODS Several enhancements in quality control had been introduced throughout the years of operation, as described in this manuscript, to better align the practice with the evolving standards of proton therapy and the demands of a modern hospital. We spotlight the design and results of the failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA), and subsequent actions introduced to mitigate the modes associated with elevated risk. The findings of the FMEA informed the specifications for the new software application, which facilitated the improved management of the treatment workflow and the image-guidance aspects of ocular treatments. RESULTS Eleven failure modes identified as having the highest risk are described. Six of these were mitigated with the clinical roll-out of a new application for image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). Others were addressed through task automation, the broader introduction of checklists, and enhancements in pre-treatment staff-led time-out. CONCLUSIONS Throughout the task of modernizing the safety system of our dedicated ocular beamline, FMEA proved to be an effective instrument in soliciting inputs from the staff about safety and workflow concerns, helping to identify steps associated with elevated failure risks. Risks were reduced with the clinical introduction of a new IGRT application, which integrates quality management tools widely recognized for their role in risk mitigation: automation of the data transfer and workflow steps, and with the introduction of checklists and redundancy cross-checks.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Wook Jee
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joost M Verburg
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thomas A Ruggieri
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Marc Bussière
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alexei V Trofimov
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Chen JN, Moyers MF, Lin LC. A simple and fast daily quality assurance solution for modulated scanning proton and carbon ion beams. Med Phys 2021; 48:5684-5693. [PMID: 34370305 DOI: 10.1002/mp.15151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE A typical ion beam treatment facility has multiple treatment rooms and may treat with more than one ion species, thus requiring a significant quality assurance (QA) effort. The goal of this work was to perform daily QA using a single irradiation per ion species to obtain the beam dosimetry parameters of dose per monitor unit (D/MU), range, and spot position. The X-ray alignment system should also be checked and the entire procedure performed by therapists. METHODS This goal was achieved by designing a jig for the Sun Nuclear Daily QA™ 3 device and combining it with specific brass boluses, a standard QA plan, and a cuboid polyethylene phantom for positioning/repositioning tests. The design of the plan used for each ion species delivery ensured that there was no interference between the tests of the various characteristics. RESULTS The 1-year monitoring results showed the proposed daily QA procedure was reliable and able to reflect each of the specified QA items of the proton and carbon ion beams. To simplify the daily analysis, the tolerances for the D/MU, beam range, and spot position (±1.5%, ±0.3 mm, ±1.5 mm, respectively) are checked using only the detector readings without the need for additional data processing. CONCLUSIONS The proposed daily QA procedure was clinically implemented in our facility in April 2019 and has run smoothly for the first 2 years of operation. The total daily QA time for the four-room facility decreased from 1 to 1.5 h to 30 to 40 min and was achieved not by reducing QA tests but rather by implementing new technology and procedures permitting acquisition of multiple beam information.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Ni Chen
- Department of Medical Physics, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Shanghai 201321, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology (20dz2261000), Shanghai 201321, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy, Shanghai 201321, China
| | - Michael F Moyers
- Department of Medical Physics, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Shanghai 201321, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology (20dz2261000), Shanghai 201321, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy, Shanghai 201321, China
| | - Lien-Chun Lin
- Department of Medical Physics, Shanghai Proton and Heavy Ion Center, Shanghai 201321, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Radiation Oncology (20dz2261000), Shanghai 201321, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Proton and Heavy Ion Radiation Therapy, Shanghai 201321, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Titt U, Suzuki K, Li Y, Sahoo N, Gillin MT, Zhu XR. Technical Note: Dosimetric characteristics of the ocular beam line and commissioning data for an ocular proton therapy planning system at the Proton Therapy Center Houston. Med Phys 2017; 44:6661-6671. [DOI: 10.1002/mp.12605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2017] [Revised: 08/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Uwe Titt
- Department of Radiation Physics; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston TX 77030 USA
| | - Kazumichi Suzuki
- Department of Radiation Physics; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston TX 77030 USA
| | - Yupeng Li
- Department of Radiation Physics; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston TX 77030 USA
| | - Narayan Sahoo
- Department of Radiation Physics; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston TX 77030 USA
| | - Michael T. Gillin
- Department of Radiation Physics; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston TX 77030 USA
| | - Xiaorong R. Zhu
- Department of Radiation Physics; The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center; Houston TX 77030 USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rasouli FS, Masoudi SF. Water or realistic compositions in proton radiotherapy? An analytical study. Int J Radiat Biol 2016; 93:351-356. [PMID: 27690718 DOI: 10.1080/09553002.2017.1239136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pre-clinical tests and simulation studies for radiotherapy are generally carried out using water or simplified materials. Investigating the effects of defining compositionally realistic media in proton transport studies was the objective of this work. Accurate modeling of the Bragg curve is a fundamental requirement for such a study. METHODS AND MATERIALS An equation previously validated by experiments provides an appropriate analytical method for proton dose calculation in depth of the target. Owing to the dependency on protons ranges and the probability of undergoing non-elastic nuclear interactions (NNI), this formula comprises three parameters with values specified for initial proton energy and for the target material. As a result, knowledge of the depth-dose distribution using this analytical model is limited to the materials for which the data has been provided in nuclear data tables. In this study, we used our general formulas for calculating the protons ranges and the probability of undergoing NNI in desired compounds and mixtures with an arbitrary number of constituent elements. Furthermore, the protons dose distribution in the depth of these targets was leading off with determining the parameters appeared in the employed model using our mathematically easy to handle relations. For a number of tissues which may be of interest in proton radiotherapy studies but are missing in reference data tables, the mentioned parameters were calculated. Moreover, the resultant values for the protons ranges and the probability of undergoing NNIs were compared with those in water. RESULTS The results showed that the differences between the position of Bragg peaks in water and realistic media considered in this study were energy dependent, and ranged between a few millimeters. For proton beams of arbitrary chosen initial energies, the maximum dose delivered to the realistic media varied between about -0.02-4.42% in comparison with that to water. CONCLUSIONS The effects observed (both in penetration and in the magnitude of the Bragg peaks) may be overshadowed by the different dose prescriptions depending on the quality of the treatment planning system, and dosimetry protocols used at the various therapy centers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh S Rasouli
- a Department of Physics , K.N. Toosi University of Technology , Tehran , Iran
| | - S Farhad Masoudi
- a Department of Physics , K.N. Toosi University of Technology , Tehran , Iran
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rasouli FS, Farhad Masoudi S, Keshazare S, Jette D. Effect of elemental compositions on Monte Carlo dose calculations in proton therapy of eye tumors. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2015.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
7
|
Abstract
The physics of proton therapy has advanced considerably since it was proposed in 1946. Today analytical equations and numerical simulation methods are available to predict and characterize many aspects of proton therapy. This article reviews the basic aspects of the physics of proton therapy, including proton interaction mechanisms, proton transport calculations, the determination of dose from therapeutic and stray radiations, and shielding design. The article discusses underlying processes as well as selected practical experimental and theoretical methods. We conclude by briefly speculating on possible future areas of research of relevance to the physics of proton therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wayne D Newhauser
- Medical Physics Program, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Louisiana State University, 202 Nicholson Hall, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
- Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, 4950 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA, 70809, USA
| | - Rui Zhang
- Medical Physics Program, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Louisiana State University, 202 Nicholson Hall, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA
- Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, 4950 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA, 70809, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Jakubowska E, Zielczyński M, Golnik N, Gryziński MA, Krzemiński Ł. A ring-shaped recombination chamber for hadron therapy dosimetry. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2014; 161:201-204. [PMID: 24430949 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/nct355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
An innovative recombination chamber has been designed for estimation of stray radiation doses and quality factors in hadron therapy. The chamber allows for determination of absorbed dose and recombination index of radiation quality in phantoms at small distances from simulated organs. The chamber body and electrodes are ring shaped, so the beam may be directed through the empty centre of the ring. The ionisation of the filling gas is caused by secondary or scattered radiation and can be related to the dose absorbed in the tissues close to the irradiated target volume.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E Jakubowska
- Institute of Metrology and Biomedical Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Św. A. Boboli 8, Warsaw 02-525, Poland
| | - M Zielczyński
- National Centre for Nuclear Research, A. Sołtana 7, Otwock 05-400, Poland
| | - N Golnik
- Institute of Metrology and Biomedical Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Św. A. Boboli 8, Warsaw 02-525, Poland
| | - M A Gryziński
- National Centre for Nuclear Research, A. Sołtana 7, Otwock 05-400, Poland
| | - Ł Krzemiński
- Institute of Metrology and Biomedical Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Św. A. Boboli 8, Warsaw 02-525, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Moyers MF, Ibbott GS, Grant RL, Summers PA, Followill DS. Independent dose per monitor unit review of eight U.S.A. proton treatment facilities. Med Phys 2014; 41:012103. [PMID: 24387521 PMCID: PMC3880377 DOI: 10.1118/1.4845135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2013] [Revised: 11/20/2013] [Accepted: 11/23/2013] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Compare the dose per monitor unit at different proton treatment facilities using three different dosimetry methods. METHODS Measurements of dose per monitor unit were performed by a single group at eight facilities using 11 test beams and up to six different clinical portal treatment sites. These measurements were compared to the facility reported dose per monitor unit values. RESULTS Agreement between the measured and reported doses was similar using any of the three dosimetry methods. Use of the ICRU 59 ND,w based method gave results approximately 3% higher than both the ICRU 59 NX and ICRU 78 (TRS-398) ND,w based methods. CONCLUSIONS Any single dosimetry method could be used for multi-institution trials with similar conformity between facilities. A multi-institutional trial could support facilities using both the ICRU 59 NX based and ICRU 78 (TRS-398) ND,w based methods but use of the ICRU 59 ND,w based method should not be allowed simultaneously with the other two until the difference is resolved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - G S Ibbott
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas - M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - R L Grant
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas - M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - P A Summers
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas - M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030
| | - D S Followill
- Department of Radiation Physics, University of Texas - M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas 77030
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Newhauser WD, Rechner L, Mirkovic D, Yepes P, Koch NC, Titt U, Fontenot JD, Zhang R. Benchmark measurements and simulations of dose perturbations due to metallic spheres in proton beams. RADIAT MEAS 2013; 58:37-44. [PMID: 25147474 PMCID: PMC4136527 DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2013.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Monte Carlo simulations are increasingly used for dose calculations in proton therapy due to its inherent accuracy. However, dosimetric deviations have been found using Monte Carlo code when high density materials are present in the proton beam line. The purpose of this work was to quantify the magnitude of dose perturbation caused by metal objects. We did this by comparing measurements and Monte Carlo predictions of dose perturbations caused by the presence of small metal spheres in several clinical proton therapy beams as functions of proton beam range, spread-out Bragg peak width and drift space. Monte Carlo codes MCNPX, GEANT4 and Fast Dose Calculator (FDC) were used. Generally good agreement was found between measurements and Monte Carlo predictions, with the average difference within 5% and maximum difference within 17%. The modification of multiple Coulomb scattering model in MCNPX code yielded improvement in accuracy and provided the best overall agreement with measurements. Our results confirmed that Monte Carlo codes are well suited for predicting multiple Coulomb scattering in proton therapy beams when short drift spaces are involved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wayne D. Newhauser
- The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 94, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, 6767 Bertner, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Medical Physics, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Baton Rouge, LA, 70809, USA
| | - Laura Rechner
- The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 94, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, 6767 Bertner, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Dragan Mirkovic
- The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 94, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, 6767 Bertner, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Pablo Yepes
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, MS 315, Rice University, 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Nicholas C. Koch
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Medical University of South Carolina, 169 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Uwe Titt
- The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 94, Houston, Texas 77030, USA
- The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, 6767 Bertner, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jonas D. Fontenot
- Department of Medical Physics, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Baton Rouge, LA, 70809, USA
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Medical Physics, Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Baton Rouge, LA, 70809, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Koch NC, Newhauser WD. Development and verification of an analytical algorithm to predict absorbed dose distributions in ocular proton therapy using Monte Carlo simulations. Phys Med Biol 2010; 55:833-53. [PMID: 20071765 DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/55/3/019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Proton beam radiotherapy is an effective and non-invasive treatment for uveal melanoma. Recent research efforts have focused on improving the dosimetric accuracy of treatment planning and overcoming the present limitation of relative analytical dose calculations. Monte Carlo algorithms have been shown to accurately predict dose per monitor unit (D/MU) values, but this has yet to be shown for analytical algorithms dedicated to ocular proton therapy, which are typically less computationally expensive than Monte Carlo algorithms. The objective of this study was to determine if an analytical method could predict absolute dose distributions and D/MU values for a variety of treatment fields like those used in ocular proton therapy. To accomplish this objective, we used a previously validated Monte Carlo model of an ocular nozzle to develop an analytical algorithm to predict three-dimensional distributions of D/MU values from pristine Bragg peaks and therapeutically useful spread-out Bragg peaks (SOBPs). Results demonstrated generally good agreement between the analytical and Monte Carlo absolute dose calculations. While agreement in the proximal region decreased for beams with less penetrating Bragg peaks compared with the open-beam condition, the difference was shown to be largely attributable to edge-scattered protons. A method for including this effect in any future analytical algorithm was proposed. Comparisons of D/MU values showed typical agreement to within 0.5%. We conclude that analytical algorithms can be employed to accurately predict absolute proton dose distributions delivered by an ocular nozzle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas C Koch
- Department of Radiation Physics, Unit 94, The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zheng Y, Newhauser W, Klein E, Low D. Monte Carlo simulation of the neutron spectral fluence and dose equivalent for use in shielding a proton therapy vault. Phys Med Biol 2009; 54:6943-57. [PMID: 19887713 DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/54/22/013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Neutron production is of principal concern when designing proton therapy vault shielding. Conventionally, neutron calculations are based on analytical methods, which do not accurately consider beam shaping components and nozzle shielding. The goal of this study was to calculate, using Monte Carlo modeling, the neutron spectral fluence and neutron dose equivalent generated by a realistic proton therapy nozzle and evaluate how these data could be used in shielding calculations. We modeled a contemporary passive scattering proton therapy nozzle in detail with the MCNPX simulation code. The neutron spectral fluence and dose equivalent at various locations in the treatment room were calculated and compared to those obtained from a thick iron target bombarded by parallel proton beams, the simplified geometry on which analytical methods are based. The neutron spectral fluence distributions were similar for both methods, with deeply penetrating high-energy neutrons (E > 10 MeV) being most prevalent along the beam central axis, and low-energy neutrons predominating the neutron spectral fluence in the lateral region. However, unlike the inverse square falloff used in conventional analytical methods, this study shows that the neutron dose equivalent per therapeutic dose in the treatment room decreased with distance approximately following a power law, with an exponent of about -1.63 in the lateral region and -1.73 in the downstream region. Based on the simulated data according to the detailed nozzle modeling, we developed an empirical equation to estimate the neutron dose equivalent at any location and distance in the treatment vault, e.g. for cases in which detailed Monte Carlo modeling is not feasible. We applied the simulated neutron spectral fluence and dose equivalent to a shielding calculation as an example.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanshui Zheng
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box 8224, 4921 Parkview Place, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Out-of-Field Dose Equivalents Delivered by Passively Scattered Therapeutic Proton Beams for Clinically Relevant Field Configurations. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2009; 73:306-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2008.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2008] [Revised: 08/20/2008] [Accepted: 09/26/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
14
|
Titt U, Sahoo N, Ding X, Zheng Y, Newhauser WD, Zhu XR, Polf JC, Gillin MT, Mohan R. Assessment of the accuracy of an MCNPX-based Monte Carlo simulation model for predicting three-dimensional absorbed dose distributions. Phys Med Biol 2008; 53:4455-70. [PMID: 18670050 DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/53/16/016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, the Monte Carlo method has been used in a large number of research studies in radiation therapy. For applications such as treatment planning, it is essential to validate the dosimetric accuracy of the Monte Carlo simulations in heterogeneous media. The AAPM Report no 105 addresses issues concerning clinical implementation of Monte Carlo based treatment planning for photon and electron beams, however for proton-therapy planning, such guidance is not yet available. Here we present the results of our validation of the Monte Carlo model of the double scattering system used at our Proton Therapy Center in Houston. In this study, we compared Monte Carlo simulated depth doses and lateral profiles to measured data for a magnitude of beam parameters. We varied simulated proton energies and widths of the spread-out Bragg peaks, and compared them to measurements obtained during the commissioning phase of the Proton Therapy Center in Houston. Of 191 simulated data sets, 189 agreed with measured data sets to within 3% of the maximum dose difference and within 3 mm of the maximum range or penumbra size difference. The two simulated data sets that did not agree with the measured data sets were in the distal falloff of the measured dose distribution, where large dose gradients potentially produce large differences on the basis of minute changes in the beam steering. Hence, the Monte Carlo models of medium- and large-size double scattering proton-therapy nozzles were valid for proton beams in the 100 MeV-250 MeV interval.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- U Titt
- The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Koch N, Newhauser WD, Titt U, Gombos D, Coombes K, Starkschall G. Monte Carlo calculations and measurements of absorbed dose per monitor unit for the treatment of uveal melanoma with proton therapy. Phys Med Biol 2008; 53:1581-94. [PMID: 18367789 DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/53/6/005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The treatment of uveal melanoma with proton radiotherapy has provided excellent clinical outcomes. However, contemporary treatment planning systems use simplistic dose algorithms that limit the accuracy of relative dose distributions. Further, absolute predictions of absorbed dose per monitor unit are not yet available in these systems. The purpose of this study was to determine if Monte Carlo methods could predict dose per monitor unit (D/MU) value at the center of a proton spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) to within 1% on measured values for a variety of treatment fields relevant to ocular proton therapy. The MCNPX Monte Carlo transport code, in combination with realistic models for the ocular beam delivery apparatus and a water phantom, was used to calculate dose distributions and D/MU values, which were verified by the measurements. Measured proton beam data included central-axis depth dose profiles, relative cross-field profiles and absolute D/MU measurements under several combinations of beam penetration ranges and range-modulation widths. The Monte Carlo method predicted D/MU values that agreed with measurement to within 1% and dose profiles that agreed with measurement to within 3% of peak dose or within 0.5 mm distance-to-agreement. Lastly, a demonstration of the clinical utility of this technique included calculations of dose distributions and D/MU values in a realistic model of the human eye. It is possible to predict D/MU values accurately for clinical relevant range-modulated proton beams for ocular therapy using the Monte Carlo method. It is thus feasible to use the Monte Carlo method as a routine absolute dose algorithm for ocular proton therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Koch
- Department of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Zheng Y, Fontenot J, Taddei P, Mirkovic D, Newhauser W. Monte Carlo simulations of neutron spectral fluence, radiation weighting factor and ambient dose equivalent for a passively scattered proton therapy unit. Phys Med Biol 2007; 53:187-201. [PMID: 18182696 DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/53/1/013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Stray neutron exposures pose a potential risk for the development of secondary cancer in patients receiving proton therapy. However, the behavior of the ambient dose equivalent is not fully understood, including dependences on neutron spectral fluence, radiation weighting factor and proton treatment beam characteristics. The objective of this work, therefore, was to estimate neutron exposures resulting from the use of a passively scattered proton treatment unit. In particular, we studied the characteristics of the neutron spectral fluence, radiation weighting factor and ambient dose equivalent with Monte Carlo simulations. The neutron spectral fluence contained two pronounced peaks, one a low-energy peak with a mode around 1 MeV and one a high-energy peak that ranged from about 10 MeV up to the proton energy. The mean radiation weighting factors varied only slightly, from 8.8 to 10.3, with proton energy and location for a closed-aperture configuration. For unmodulated proton beams stopped in a closed aperture, the ambient dose equivalent from neutrons per therapeutic absorbed dose (H*(10)/D) calculated free-in-air ranged from about 0.3 mSv/Gy for a small scattered field of 100 MeV proton energy to 19 mSv/Gy for a large scattered field of 250 MeV proton energy, revealing strong dependences on proton energy and field size. Comparisons of in-air calculations with in-phantom calculations indicated that the in-air method yielded a conservative estimation of stray neutron radiation exposure for a prostate cancer patient.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanshui Zheng
- Department of Radiation Physics, Unit 94, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Polf JC, Harvey MC, Titt U, Newhauser WD, Smith AR. Initial beam size study for passive scatter proton therapy. I. Monte Carlo verification. Med Phys 2007; 34:4213-8. [DOI: 10.1118/1.2789497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
|
18
|
Zheng Y, Newhauser W, Fontenot J, Taddei P, Mohan R. Monte Carlo study of neutron dose equivalent during passive scattering proton therapy. Phys Med Biol 2007; 52:4481-96. [PMID: 17634645 DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/52/15/008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Stray radiation exposures are of concern for patients receiving proton radiotherapy and vary strongly with several treatment factors. The purposes of this study were to conservatively estimate neutron exposures for a contemporary passive scattering proton therapy system and to understand how they vary with treatment factors. We studied the neutron dose equivalent per therapeutic absorbed dose (H/D) as a function of treatment factors including proton energy, location in the treatment room, treatment field size, spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) width and snout position using both Monte Carlo simulations and analytical modeling. The H/D value at the isocenter for a 250 MeV medium field size option was estimated to be 20 mSv Gy(-1). H/D values generally increased with the energy or penetration range, fell off sharply with distance from the treatment unit, decreased modestly with the aperture size, increased with the SOBP width and decreased with the snout distance from the isocenter. The H/D values from Monte Carlo simulations agreed well with experimental results from the literature. The analytical model predicted H/D values within 28% of those obtained in simulations; this value is within typical neutron measurement uncertainties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanshui Zheng
- The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Newhauser WD, Koch NC, Fontenot JD, Rosenthal SJ, S Gombos D, Fitzek MM, Mohan R. Dosimetric impact of tantalum markers used in the treatment of uveal melanoma with proton beam therapy. Phys Med Biol 2007; 52:3979-90. [PMID: 17664589 DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/52/13/021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Metallic fiducial markers are frequently implanted in patients prior to external-beam radiation therapy to facilitate tumor localization. There is little information in the literature, however, about the perturbations in proton absorbed-dose distribution these objects cause. The aim of this study was to assess the dosimetric impact of perturbations caused by 2.5 mm diameter by 0.2 mm thick tantalum fiducial markers when used in proton therapy for treating uveal melanoma. Absorbed dose perturbations were measured using radiochromic film and confirmed by Monte Carlo simulations of the experiment. Additional Monte Carlo simulations were performed to study the effects of range modulation and fiducial placement location on the magnitude of the dose shadow for a representative uveal melanoma treatment. The simulations revealed that the fiducials caused perturbations in the absorbed-dose distribution, including absorbed-dose shadows of 22% to 82% in a typical proton beam for treating uveal melanoma, depending on the marker depth and orientation. The clinical implication of this study is that implanted fiducials may, in certain circumstances, cause dose shadows that could lower the tumor dose and theoretically compromise local tumor control. To avoid this situation, fiducials should be positioned laterally or distally with respect to the target volume.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wayne D Newhauser
- The University of Texas M D Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 94, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Hérault J, Iborra N, Serrano B, Chauvel P. Spread-out Bragg peak and monitor units calculation with the Monte Carlo code MCNPX. Med Phys 2007; 34:680-8. [PMID: 17388186 DOI: 10.1118/1.2431473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this work was to study the dosimetric potential of the Monte Carlo code MCNPX applied to the protontherapy field. For series of clinical configurations a comparison between simulated and experimental data was carried out, using the proton beam line of the MEDICYC isochronous cyclotron installed in the Centre Antoine Lacassagne in Nice. The dosimetric quantities tested were depth-dose distributions, output factors, and monitor units. For each parameter, the simulation reproduced accurately the experiment, which attests the quality of the choices made both in the geometrical description and in the physics parameters for beam definition. These encouraging results enable us today to consider a simplification of quality control measurements in the future. Monitor Units calculation is planned to be carried out with preestablished Monte Carlo simulation data. The measurement, which was until now our main patient dose calibration system, will be progressively replaced by computation based on the MCNPX code. This determination of Monitor Units will be controlled by an independent semi-empirical calculation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Hérault
- Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Cyclotron Biomedical, 227 avenue de la Lanterne, 06200 Nice, France.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Fontenot JD, Newhauser WD, Bloch C, White RA, Titt U, Starkschall G. Determination of output factors for small proton therapy fields. Med Phys 2007; 34:489-98. [PMID: 17388166 DOI: 10.1118/1.2428406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Current protocols for the measurement of proton dose focus on measurements under reference conditions; methods for measuring dose under patient-specific conditions have not been standardized. In particular, it is unclear whether dose in patient-specific fields can be determined more reliably with or without the presence of the patient-specific range compensator. The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess the reliability of two methods for measuring dose per monitor unit (DIMU) values for small-field treatment portals: one with the range compensator and one without the range compensator. A Monte Carlo model of the Proton Therapy Center-Houston double-scattering nozzle was created, and estimates of D/MU values were obtained from 14 simulated treatments of a simple geometric patient model. Field-specific D/MU calibration measurements were simulated with a dosimeter in a water phantom with and without the range compensator. D/MU values from the simulated calibration measurements were compared with D/MU values from the corresponding treatment simulation in the patient model. To evaluate the reliability of the calibration measurements, six metrics and four figures of merit were defined to characterize accuracy, uncertainty, the standard deviations of accuracy and uncertainty, worst agreement, and maximum uncertainty. Measuring D/MU without the range compensator provided superior results for five of the six metrics and for all four figures of merit. The two techniques yielded different results primarily because of high-dose gradient regions introduced into the water phantom when the range compensator was present. Estimated uncertainties (approximately 1 mm) in the position of the dosimeter in these regions resulted in large uncertainties and high variability in D/MU values. When the range compensator was absent, these gradients were minimized and D/MU values were less sensitive to dosimeter positioning errors. We conclude that measuring D/MU without the range compensator present provides more reliable results than measuring it with the range compensator in place.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonas D Fontenot
- Department of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Hérault J, Iborra N, Serrano B, Chauvel P. Monte Carlo simulation of a protontherapy platform devoted to ocular melanoma. Med Phys 2005; 32:910-9. [PMID: 15895573 DOI: 10.1118/1.1871392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with ocular melanoma have been treated since June 1991 at the medical cyclotron of the Centre Antoine Lacassagne (CAL). Positions and sizes of the ocular nozzle elements were initially defined based on experimental work, taking as a pattern functional existing facilities. Nowadays Monte Carlo (MC) calculation offers a tool to refine this geometry by adjusting size and place of beam modeling devices. Moreover, the MC tool is a useful way to calculate the dose and to evaluate the impact of secondary particles in the field of radiotherapy or radiation protection. Both LINAC and cyclotron producing x rays, electrons, protons, and neutrons are available in CAL, which suggests choosing MCNPX for its particle versatility. As a first step, the existing installation was input in MCNPX to check its aptitude to reproduce experimentally measured depth-dose profile, lateral profile, output-factor (OF), and absolute dose. The geometry was defined precisely and described from the last achromatic bending magnet of our proton beam line to the position of treated eyes. Relative comparisons of percentage depth-dose and lateral profiles, performed between measured data and simulations, show an agreement of the order of 2% in dose and 0.1 mm in range accuracy. These comparisons, carried out with and without beam-modifying device, yield results compatible to the required precision in ocular melanoma treatments, as long as adequate choices are made on MCNPX input decks for physics card. Absolute dose and OF issued from calculations and measurements were also compared. Results obtained for these two kinds of data, carried out in the simplified situation of an unmodulated beam, indicate that MC calculation could effectively complement measurements. These encouraging results are a large source of motivation to promote further studies, first in a new design of the ocular nozzle, and second in the analysis of the influence of beam-modifying devices attached to the final patient collimator, such as wedge or compensators, on dose values.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Hérault
- Centre Antoine Lacassagne, Cyclotron Biomedical, 227 Avenue de la Lanterne, 06200 Nice, France.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Polf JC, Newhauser WD, Titt U. Patient neutron dose equivalent exposures outside of the proton therapy treatment field. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2005; 115:154-8. [PMID: 16381704 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/nci264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
A large fraction of dose to healthy tissue located outside of the treatment field during proton therapy is attributable to neutrons produced in the beam-delivery apparatus. In this work, the neutron dose equivalent (H) per therapeutic proton absorbed dose (D) was estimated for typical treatment conditions as a function of range modulation width, angle with respect to the incident proton beam, and the distance from the isocentre at the Harvard Cyclotron Laboratory's (Cambridge, MA) passively spread treatment field using Monte Carlo simulations. For a beam with 16 cm penetration (depth) and a 5 x 5 cm2 lateral field size at the patient location along the incident beam direction at 100 cm from the isocentre, the predicted H/D values are 0.35 and 0.60 mSv Gy(-1) from the simulations and measurements, respectively. At all locations, the predicted H/D values are within a factor of 2 and 3 of the measured result for no modulation and 8.2 cm of modulation, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J C Polf
- Department of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 130, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Mourtada F, Koch N, Newhauser W. 106Ru/106Rh plaque and proton radiotherapy for ocular melanoma: a comparative dosimetric study. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2005; 116:454-60. [PMID: 16604677 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/nci266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to perform comparative dosimetric studies of both 106Ru/106Rh plaque brachytherapy and external beam proton therapy proposed for ocular treatments at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA. These modalities were also compared with traditional 125I plaque brachytherapy. Using a standardised eye model with a representative ocular melanoma tumour, the relative dose distributions within the tumour and surrounding tissue were calculated using the Monte Carlo code MCNPX. Published absorbed dose distributions benchmarked the Monte Carlo models. Results indicate that the proton beam provided superior dose uniformity within the tumour volume, whereas the dose distribution from 106Ru/106Rh was more heterogeneous. Relative to 125I COMS plaque, both 106Ru/106Rh and protons have shown more confined dose distributions to the tumour volume in this situation, thus sparing other critical ocular structures. For protons, it has been shown that only doses lower than the maximum dose are delivered outside the tumour volume. Depending on the clinical situation, this may aid in the sparing of critical structures located in the sclera and optic disc boundary. The Monte Carlo model's statistical uncertainties of the mean dose estimates for the 106Ru/106Rh plaque and proton beam were 3 and 2.5%, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Mourtada
- Radiation Physics Department, Box 94, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|