Radiation quality and ion-beam therapy: understanding the users' needs

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiation Oncology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Ion-beam therapy requires precise radiation quality mapping within the irradiated volume.
• Current analytical and simulation methods provide estimations, but direct measurement is needed for complex cases like deep-seated tumors or variable tissue densities.
• Accurate dosimetry is essential for optimizing treatment and protecting organs at risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the need for direct measurement tools for radiation quality in ion-beam therapy.
• To develop miniaturized detectors for microdosimetric and nanodosimetric measurements.
• To create devices suitable for phantom studies and potential intra-cavity applications during therapy.

Main Methods:

• Investigating solid-state detectors based on single crystal chemical vapor deposition diamond.
• Developing prototype detectors with dimensions comparable to one micrometer of biological tissue.
• Collaborating with research institutions including INFN and the Austrian Institute of Technology.

Main Results:

• Prototypes of miniaturized diamond detectors have been successfully developed.
• These detectors are designed to characterize radiation quality at the microdosimetric and nanodosimetric scales.
• The research focuses on creating simple and small devices for practical application.

Conclusions:

• Solid-state diamond detectors show promise for in-situ radiation quality measurements in ion-beam therapy.
• Miniaturization is key for developing detectors applicable in challenging clinical scenarios.
• Further development and validation are expected to enhance the precision and safety of ion-beam treatments.