Simulation analysis for tumor radiotherapy based on three-component mathematical models

J Appl Clin Med Phys. 2019 Mar;20(3):22-26. doi: 10.1002/acm2.12516.

Abstract

Objective: To setup a three-component tumor growth mathematical model and discuss its basic application in tumor fractional radiotherapy with computer simulation.

Method: First, our three-component tumor growth model extended from the classical Gompertz tumor model was formulated and applied to a fractional radiotherapy with a series of proper parameters. With the computer simulation of our model, the impact of some parameters such as fractional dose, amount of quiescent tumor cells, and α/β value to the effect of radiotherapy was also analyzed, respectively.

Results: With several optimal technologies, the model could run stably and output a series of convergent results. The simulation results showed that the fractional radiotherapy dose could impact the effect of radiotherapy significantly, while the amount of quiescent tumor cells and α/β value did that to a certain extent.

Conclusions: Supported with some proper parameters, our model can simulate and analyze the tumor radiotherapy program as well as give some theoretical instruction to radiotherapy personalized optimization.

Keywords: computer simulation; three-component mathematical model; tumor radiotherapy.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms
  • Computer Simulation*
  • Humans
  • Models, Theoretical*
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured