Range-shifter effects on the stray field in proton therapy measured with the variance-covariance method

Range shifter contribution to neutron exposure of patients undergoing proton pencil beam scanning

BACKGROUND

Superficial targets require the use of the lowest energies within the available energy range in proton pencil-beam scanning (PBS) technique. However, the lower efficiency of the energy selection system at these energies and the requirement of a greater number of layers may represent disadvantages for this approach. The alternative is to use a range shifter (RS) at nozzle exit. However, one of the concerns of using this beamline element is that it becomes an additional source of neutrons that could irradiate organs situated far from the target.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to assess the increase in neutron dose due to the RS in proton PBS technique. Additionally, an analytical model for the neutron production is tested.

METHODS

Two clinical plans, designed to achieve identical target coverage, were created for an anthropomorphic phantom. These plans consisted of a lateral field delivering an absorbed dose of 60 Gy (RBE) to the target. One of the plans employed the RS. The MCNP code was used to simulate the plans, evaluating the distribution of neutron dose equivalent (Hn) and the equivalent dose in organ. In the plan with the RS plan, neutron production from both the patient and the RS were assessed separately. Hn values were also fitted versus the distance to field edge using a Gaussian function.

RESULTS

Hn per prescription dose, in the plan using the RS, ranged between 1.4 and 3.7 mSv/Gy at the field edge, whereas doses at 40 cm from the edge ranged from 9.9 to 32 μSv/Gy. These values are 1.2 to 10 times higher compared to those obtained without the RS. Both this factor and the contribution of neutrons originating from the RS increases with the distance from field edge. A triple-Gaussian function was able to reproduce the equivalent dose in organs within a factor of 2, although underestimating the values.

CONCLUSIONS

The dose deposited in the patient by the neutrons originating from the RS predominantly affects areas away from the target (beyond approximately 25 cm from field edge), resulting in a neutron dose equivalent of the order of mSv. This indicates an overall low neutron contribution from the use of RS in PBS.

Simulation and experimental verification of ambient neutron doses in a pencil beam scanning proton therapy room as a function of treatment plan parameters

Out-of-field patient doses in proton therapy are dominated by neutrons. Currently, they are not taken into account by treatment planning systems. There is an increasing need to include out-of-field doses in the dose calculation, especially when treating children, pregnant patients, and patients with implants. In response to this demand, this work presents the first steps towards a tool for the prediction of out-of-field neutron doses in pencil beam scanning proton therapy facilities. As a first step, a general Monte Carlo radiation transport model for simulation of out-of-field neutron doses was set up and successfully verified by comparison of simulated and measured ambient neutron dose equivalent and neutron fluence energy spectra around a solid water phantom irradiated with a variation of different treatment plan parameters. Simulations with the verified model enabled a detailed study of the variation of the neutron ambient dose equivalent with field size, range, modulation width, use of a range shifter, and position inside the treatment room. For future work, it is planned to use this verified model to simulate out-of-field neutron doses inside the phantom and to verify the simulation results by comparison with previous in-phantom measurement campaigns. Eventually, these verified simulations will be used to build a library and a corresponding tool to allow assessment of out-of-field neutron doses at pencil beam scanning proton therapy facilities.