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Biological Effects of Radiation

Biological Effects of Radiation

All radioactive nuclides emit high-energy particles or electromagnetic waves. When this radiation encounters living cells, it can cause heating, break chemical bonds, or ionize molecules. The most serious biological damage results when these radioactive emissions fragment or ionize molecules. For example, α and β particles emitted from nuclear decay reactions possess much higher energies than ordinary chemical bond energies. When these particles strike and penetrate matter, they...

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Updated: Oct 3, 2025

Characterization of Recombination Effects in a Liquid Ionization Chamber Used for the Dosimetry of a Radiosurgical Accelerator

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Published on: May 9, 2014

Practical Dosimetry Considerations for Small MLC-Shaped Electron Fields at 60 cm SSD.

Déte Van Eeden¹, Karl N Sachse², Freek C P Du Plessis¹

¹PhD, Department of Medical Physics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.

Journal of Biomedical Physics & Engineering

|February 14, 2022

Summary

Accurate Monte Carlo simulations guide electron beam therapy for superficial tumors. Guidelines optimize multi-leaf collimator (MLC) use, minimizing dose to healthy tissue and improving treatment efficacy.

Keywords:

Electrons Energy Monte Carlo Method Multi-Leaf Collimator Radiometry

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Published on: March 11, 2021

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Last Updated: Oct 3, 2025

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Published on: May 9, 2014

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Irradiator Commissioning and Dosimetry for Assessment of LQ α and β Parameters, Radiation Dosing Schema, and in vivo Dose Deposition

Irradiator Commissioning and Dosimetry for Assessment of LQ α and β Parameters, Radiation Dosing Schema, and in vivo Dose Deposition

Published on: March 11, 2021

Area of Science:

Medical Physics
Radiation Oncology
Computational Dosimetry

Background:

Megavoltage electron beams are used for superficial tumor treatment.
Steep dose fall-off gradients spare underlying healthy tissues.
Accurate modeling is crucial for optimizing electron beam therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop an accurate Monte Carlo model for the Elekta Precise linear accelerator.
To simulate dose distributions and calculate dosimetric parameters for electron beam therapy.
To establish guidelines for tumor irradiation using multi-leaf collimators (MLCs).

Main Methods:

A validated Monte Carlo model (BEAMnrc) of the Elekta Precise was created and benchmarked against measurements.
Percentage depth dose (PDD) and beam profiles were simulated with high accuracy (within 2%/2 mm).
DOSXYZnrc code simulated 3D dose distributions in water for energies from 4 to 15 MeV.

Main Results:

Key dosimetric parameters including penumbra (P80-20), R90, DFR, and bremsstrahlung dose (BSD) were extracted.
Relative penumbra varied from 90% (6 MeV) to 10% (15 MeV); R90 ranged from 0.8 cm (4 MeV) to 4.5 cm (15 MeV).
Higher BSD was observed for low energies and small fields; intermediate MLC fields showed optimal therapeutic characteristics.

Conclusions:

Developed guidelines suggest intermediate MLC fields are most suitable for therapy due to lower BSD and favorable depth dose parameters.
Small fields at higher energies lead to increased dose fall-off range and decreased R90, potentially irradiating more distal tissues.
Accurate Monte Carlo modeling provides essential data for optimizing electron beam radiotherapy planning.