Validation of GATE Monte Carlo code for simulation of proton therapy using National Institute of Standards and Technology library data

Abstract

AimTo validate the Geant4 Application for Tomographic Emission (GATE) Monte Carlo simulation code by calculating the proton beam range in the therapeutic energy range.Materials and methodsIn this study, the GATE code which is based on Geant4 was used for simulation. The proton beams in the therapeutic energy range (5–250 MeV) were simulated in a water medium, and then compared with the data from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in order to investigate the accuracy of different physics list available in the GATE code. In addition, the optimal value of SetCut was assessed.ResultsIn all energy ranges, the QBBC physics had a greater deviation in the ranges relative to the NIST data. With respect to the range calculation accuracy, the QGSP_BIC_EMY and QGSP_BERT_HP_EMY physics were in the range of statistical uncertainty; however, QGSP_BIC_EMY produced better results using the least squares. Based on an investigation into the range calculation precision and simulation efficiency, the optimal SetCut was set at 0·1 mm.FindingsBased on an investigation into the range calculation precision and simulation yield, the QGSP_BIC_EMY physics and the optimal SetCut was recommended to be 0·1 mm.

Bragg peak characteristics of proton beams within therapeutic energy range and the comparison of stopping power using the GATE Monte Carlo simulation and the NIST data

“…In our previous study, we validated the GATE Monte Carlo code for the simulation of proton therapy. 16 In the present study, a water cubic phantom (40 × 40 × 40 cm 3 ) was modelled in a vacuum world volume ( Figure 1). The DoseActor tool provided in GATE was attached to the given volume to score dose distribution and its corresponding statistical uncertainty.…”

“…This physics list is recommended for hadron therapy applications, 17 and also in our previous study, we examined different physics lists and showed that the results obtained with QGSP_BIC_EMY are in best agreement with NIST data. 16 All secondary particles, which are probably produced by proton interactions, were tracked in the simulation. The secondary…”

Monte-Carlo techniques for radiotherapy applications I: introduction and overview of the different Monte-Carlo codes

“…45 In more recent times, GATE has been extended to include bioluminescence and optimal imaging 44,46 and radiotherapy, including particle therapy. 31,43,47,48…”

Monte-Carlo techniques for radiotherapy applications II: equipment and source modelling, dose calculations and radiobiology

“…34 Zafiri et al performed a study to compare the accuracy of the different physics lists (models) that are available in the GATE code when simulating monoenergetic therapeutic proton pencil beams with energies 5-250 MeV. 35 Chiang et al used TOPAS to model the treatment head of the Mevion HYPERSCAN pencil beam scanning system proton therapy system including the energy modulation system and Adaptive Aperture. Depth doses and in-air spot sizes were found to have good agreement with measured beam data (1 mm and 10 %, respectively).…”