Comparing the performance of some dedicated radioprotection disks in breast intraoperative electron radiotherapy: a Monte Carlo study

Radiation-shielding of healthy tissue is mandatory in breast intraoperative electron radiotherapy (IOERT). In this regard, dedicated radioprotection disks have been introduced. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the performance of three radioprotection disks widely used for breast IOERT. A Monte Carlo simulation approach was used for this purpose. The considered disks included Al + Pb, PMMA + Copper, and PTFE + Steel. They were stimulated by means of the MCNPX Monte Carlo code at depths around R₁₀₀ and R₉₀ of different electron energies in a water phantom, and their impact on the dosimetric properties of the therapeutic beam was evaluated in both correct and upside down disk placements. The electron energy spectrum immediately above and below each disk was calculated and analyzed. Furthermore, performance characteristics of the studied disks such as backscatter factors (BSFs) and transmission factors (TFs) at different electron energies were determined and compared. The results show that the Al + Pb disk most effectively attenuates the beam, while at the same time exhibits maximum BSF values. Employing the PMMA + Copper disk can minimize the BSF value but at the expense of an increased TF. The Al + Pb disk showed the best performance from the radiation protection viewpoint, while its highest BSF values could lead to perturbation of dose homogeneity within the target volume. PTFE + Steel disk showed an intermediate performance regarding the electron backscattering and transmission among the studied disks. The reverse placement of each disk can substantially increase the BSF value as compared to the correct situation but had less impact on the TF value.