A Monte Carlo study of the dose enhancement effects of high-z foils in proton therapy

Abstract Background: This investigation quantifies the dose enhancement effect and dose distribution modifications due to the presence of high-z nanospheres in a proton beam. Methods: Various proton pencil beams of therapeutic energies (60–226 MeV) and spatial distribution of 2·7 mm spot size diamet...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of radiotherapy in practice Vol. 22
Main Authors Duke, Kristen, Ahmad, Salahuddin, Lau, Andy
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.01.2023
Subjects
Bragg curve
Computer peripherals
Energy
Experiments
Foils
Geometry
Gold
Metals
Nanoparticles
Nanospheres
Original Article
Pencil beams
Physics
Platinum
Proton beams
Radiation
Side effects
Silver
Simulation
Spatial distribution
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Summary:Abstract Background: This investigation quantifies the dose enhancement effect and dose distribution modifications due to the presence of high-z nanospheres in a proton beam. Methods: Various proton pencil beams of therapeutic energies (60–226 MeV) and spatial distribution of 2·7 mm spot size diameter were simulated onto a water phantom utilising the TOPAS Monte Carlo toolkit version 3.6.1. The simulation modelled either water or nanospheres of high-z materials (gold, silver or platinum) at the location of the Bragg Peak (BP) to compare the differences of the resulting dose distributions. Results: The introduction of the nanospheres increases the maximum dose, narrows the BP and shifts the BP location upstream compared to the water phantom with no nanospheres. Conclusions: This work shows that the local dose can be enhanced with the use of high-z nanoparticles in proton therapy, thereby increasing patient safety and decreasing side effects with the same amount of delivered radiation.
ISSN:1460-3969
1467-1131
DOI:10.1017/S1460396923000134