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Pencil Beam Algorithms Are Unsuitable for Proton Dose Calculations in Lung
Paige A Taylor1, Stephen F Kry1, David S Followill1
1The Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core Houston Quality Assurance Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics
|August 28, 2017
Summary
Analytic algorithms inaccurately predict proton dose in lung tumors, overestimating by up to 46%. Monte Carlo algorithms offer superior accuracy, showing improved agreement with physical measurements for better dose distribution reflection.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Radiation Oncology
Background:
- Accurate proton dose calculation is crucial for effective lung cancer radiotherapy.
- Heterogeneity in lung tissue presents challenges for dose prediction algorithms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare analytic and Monte Carlo (MC) algorithms for proton dose calculations in lung.
- To benchmark algorithm performance against anthropomorphic lung phantom measurements.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a heterogeneous anthropomorphic moving lung phantom irradiated at multiple proton therapy centers.
- Compared treatment plan doses calculated by analytic and MC algorithms with measured doses (thermoluminescent dosimeters and film).
- Performed point dose and planar dose comparisons using gamma analysis.
Main Results:
- Analytic algorithms overestimated target dose by an average of 7.2%, with discrepancies up to 46% in planning target volume.
- Monte Carlo algorithms demonstrated superior accuracy, with an average agreement within 1.6% of measurements.
- Monte Carlo recalculations showed mean agreement within 4% and a maximum difference of 12% within the internal gross target volume (iGTV).
Conclusions:
- Analytic algorithms exhibit significant inaccuracies in predicting proton dose in lung tumors.
- Monte Carlo algorithms provide a more reliable and accurate representation of delivered dose distributions.
- Implementation of Monte Carlo algorithms is recommended for improved proton therapy treatment planning in lung.
