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A Monte Carlo simulation framework for electron beam dose calculations using Varian phase space files for TrueBeam Linacs.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Rodrigues, A; Sawkey, D; Yin, F-F; Wu, Q
Published in: Med Phys
May 2015

PURPOSE: To develop a framework for accurate electron Monte Carlo dose calculation. In this study, comprehensive validations of vendor provided electron beam phase space files for Varian TrueBeam Linacs against measurement data are presented. METHODS: In this framework, the Monte Carlo generated phase space files were provided by the vendor and used as input to the downstream plan-specific simulations including jaws, electron applicators, and water phantom computed in the EGSnrc environment. The phase space files were generated based on open field commissioning data. A subset of electron energies of 6, 9, 12, 16, and 20 MeV and open and collimated field sizes 3 × 3, 4 × 4, 5 × 5, 6 × 6, 10 × 10, 15 × 15, 20 × 20, and 25 × 25 cm(2) were evaluated. Measurements acquired with a CC13 cylindrical ionization chamber and electron diode detector and simulations from this framework were compared for a water phantom geometry. The evaluation metrics include percent depth dose, orthogonal and diagonal profiles at depths R100, R50, Rp, and Rp+ for standard and extended source-to-surface distances (SSD), as well as cone and cut-out output factors. RESULTS: Agreement for the percent depth dose and orthogonal profiles between measurement and Monte Carlo was generally within 2% or 1 mm. The largest discrepancies were observed within depths of 5 mm from phantom surface. Differences in field size, penumbra, and flatness for the orthogonal profiles at depths R100, R50, and Rp were within 1 mm, 1 mm, and 2%, respectively. Orthogonal profiles at SSDs of 100 and 120 cm showed the same level of agreement. Cone and cut-out output factors agreed well with maximum differences within 2.5% for 6 MeV and 1% for all other energies. Cone output factors at extended SSDs of 105, 110, 115, and 120 cm exhibited similar levels of agreement. CONCLUSIONS: We have presented a Monte Carlo simulation framework for electron beam dose calculations for Varian TrueBeam Linacs. Electron beam energies of 6 to 20 MeV for open and collimated field sizes from 3 × 3 to 25 × 25 cm(2) were studied and results were compared to the measurement data with excellent agreement. Application of this framework can thus be used as the platform for treatment planning of dynamic electron arc radiotherapy and other advanced dynamic techniques with electron beams.

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Published In

Med Phys

DOI

EISSN

2473-4209

Publication Date

May 2015

Volume

42

Issue

5

Start / End Page

2389 / 2403

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Water
  • Radiometry
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Particle Accelerators
  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Electrons
  • Computer Simulation
  • 5105 Medical and biological physics
  • 4003 Biomedical engineering
 

Citation

APA
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ICMJE
MLA
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Rodrigues, A., Sawkey, D., Yin, F.-F., & Wu, Q. (2015). A Monte Carlo simulation framework for electron beam dose calculations using Varian phase space files for TrueBeam Linacs. Med Phys, 42(5), 2389–2403. https://doi.org/10.1118/1.4916896
Rodrigues, Anna, Daren Sawkey, Fang-Fang Yin, and Qiuwen Wu. “A Monte Carlo simulation framework for electron beam dose calculations using Varian phase space files for TrueBeam Linacs.Med Phys 42, no. 5 (May 2015): 2389–2403. https://doi.org/10.1118/1.4916896.
Rodrigues, Anna, et al. “A Monte Carlo simulation framework for electron beam dose calculations using Varian phase space files for TrueBeam Linacs.Med Phys, vol. 42, no. 5, May 2015, pp. 2389–403. Pubmed, doi:10.1118/1.4916896.

Published In

Med Phys

DOI

EISSN

2473-4209

Publication Date

May 2015

Volume

42

Issue

5

Start / End Page

2389 / 2403

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Water
  • Radiometry
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Particle Accelerators
  • Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
  • Monte Carlo Method
  • Electrons
  • Computer Simulation
  • 5105 Medical and biological physics
  • 4003 Biomedical engineering