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Comparison of treatment plans calculated using ray tracing and Monte Carlo algorithms for lung cancer patients having undergone radiotherapy with cyberknife

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Date Issued:
2014
Abstract/Description:
The purpose of this research is to determine the feasibility of introducing the Monte Carlo (MC) dose calculation algorithm into the clinical practice. Unlike the Ray Tracing (RT) algorithm, the MC algorithm is not affected by the tissue inhomogeneities, which are significant inside the chest cavity. A retrospective study was completed for 102 plans calculated using both the RT and MC algorithms. The D95 of the PTV was 26% lower for the MC calculation. The first parameter of conformality, as defined as the ratio of the Prescription Isodose Volume to the PTV Volume was on average 1.27 for RT and 0.67 for MC. The results confirm that the RT algorithm significantly overestimates the dosages delivered confirming previous analyses. Correlations indicate that these overestimates are largest for small PTV and/or when the ratio of the volume of lung tissue to the PTV approaches 1.
Title: Comparison of treatment plans calculated using ray tracing and Monte Carlo algorithms for lung cancer patients having undergone radiotherapy with cyberknife.
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Name(s): Pennington, Andreea, author
Selvaraj, Raj , Thesis advisor
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Department of Physics
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Date Created: 2014
Date Issued: 2014
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 83 p.
Language(s): English
Abstract/Description: The purpose of this research is to determine the feasibility of introducing the Monte Carlo (MC) dose calculation algorithm into the clinical practice. Unlike the Ray Tracing (RT) algorithm, the MC algorithm is not affected by the tissue inhomogeneities, which are significant inside the chest cavity. A retrospective study was completed for 102 plans calculated using both the RT and MC algorithms. The D95 of the PTV was 26% lower for the MC calculation. The first parameter of conformality, as defined as the ratio of the Prescription Isodose Volume to the PTV Volume was on average 1.27 for RT and 0.67 for MC. The results confirm that the RT algorithm significantly overestimates the dosages delivered confirming previous analyses. Correlations indicate that these overestimates are largest for small PTV and/or when the ratio of the volume of lung tissue to the PTV approaches 1.
Identifier: FA00004316 (IID)
Degree granted: Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014.
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Includes bibliography.
Subject(s): Computer graphics
Diagnostic imaging
Image guided radiation therapy
Lung cancer -- Treatment
Lungs -- Cancer -- Radiotherapy
Monte Carlo method
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Sublocation: Digital Library
Links: http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004316
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.