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Monte Carlo-based software for 3D personalized dose calculations in image-guided radiotherapy
Coralie Le Deroff1, Lucie Berger2, Julien Bellec1
1Centre Eugène Marquis (Unicancer), Rennes, France.
Physics and Imaging in Radiation Oncology
|March 4, 2022
Summary
Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) imaging adds radiation dose to patients. Optimizing imaging protocols can reduce this dose by up to tenfold, minimizing patient irradiation during cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Radiation Oncology
- Radiotherapy Imaging
Background:
- Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) necessitates frequent in-room imaging, increasing patient radiation exposure.
- Understanding the dosimetric impact of various IGRT imaging protocols is crucial for patient safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide patient-specific dosimetric data for different IGRT imaging protocols and anatomical sites.
- To quantify the radiation dose delivered by various imaging techniques used in radiotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Developed a Monte Carlo-based software for calculating 3D personalized dose distributions.
- Simulated dose distributions for kV-CBCT, MV-CT, and 2D-kV stereoscopic imaging across pelvis, head and neck, and breast cases.
- Analyzed dose distributions using dose-volume histograms for organs at risk.
Main Results:
- 2D-kV imaging delivered minimal dose (<1 mGy/pair).
- Median doses for kV-CBCT and MV-CT varied by site (e.g., pelvis: ~30 mGy vs. ~15 mGy).
- kV imaging dose was higher in bone than soft tissue; daily kV-CBCT for prostate treatment delivered significant dose to femoral heads over 40 sessions.
Conclusions:
- IGRT procedures have a significant dosimetric impact.
- Acquisition parameters must be carefully selected based on clinical needs and patient anatomy.
- Optimized protocols can reduce imaging dose by up to 10-fold.
