The Monte Carlo SRNA-VOX code for 3D proton dose distribution in voxelized geometry using CT data

Abstract

This paper describes the application of the SRNA Monte Carlo package for proton transport simulations in complex geometry and different material compositions. The SRNA package was developed for 3D dose distribution calculation in proton therapy and dosimetry and it was based on the theory of multiple scattering. The decay of proton induced compound nuclei was simulated by the Russian MSDM model and our own using ICRU 63 data. The developed package consists of two codes: the SRNA-2KG, which simulates proton transport in combinatorial geometry and the SRNA-VOX, which uses the voxelized geometry using the CT data and conversion of the Hounsfield's data to tissue elemental composition. Transition probabilities for both codes are prepared by the SRNADAT code. The simulation of the proton beam characterization by multi-layer Faraday cup, spatial distribution of positron emitters obtained by the SRNA-2KG code and intercomparison of computational codes in radiation dosimetry, indicate immediate application of the Monte Carlo techniques in clinical practice. In this paper, we briefly present the physical model implemented in the SRNA package, the ISTAR proton dose planning software, as well as the results of the numerical experiments with proton beams to obtain 3D dose distribution in the eye and breast tumour.

Vision : Proton therapy

“…MC treatment planning has been developed for proton therapy applications. [44][45][46] However, MC calculations are time intensive and are not used routinely, although they can be useful in benchmarking pencil beam calculations. Within the next few years, MC calculations may become faster and more efficient and, therefore, can be used more routinely in treatment planning.…”

Absorbed dose distribution in human eye simulated by FOTELP-VOX code and verified by volumetric modulated arc therapy treatment plan

“…The first cat e gory in cludes sim u la tions in which the irra di a tion me dium's ge om e try is de ter mined by tech nical con struc tion us ing stan dard geo met ric shapes (plates, disks, spheres, cyl in ders, etc.). An other transport sim u la tion topic is the or gans of live be ings, which con sti tute a col lec tion of geo met ric ones [3]. Be cause of the use of com puted to mog ra phy (CT) in the treat ment plan, sev eral ad vances in ra dio ther apy have been noted in dose dis tri bu tion, op ti mi za tion, and pa tient po si tion ing.…”

A simplified methodology to produce Monte Carlo dose distributions in proton therapy

“…(6,7) Some investigators have developed customized Monte Carlo dose calculation systems to increase the confidence in treatment delivery and machine performance, while others have developed simplified calculation systems based on Monte Carlo data. (4,(8)(9)(10)(11) These systems are of clinical use only to their institutions and are very time consuming to implement. Due to these limitations and the possible clinical impact on our patients being treated with proton therapy, we undertook this project.…”