Monte Carlo methods for device simulations in radiation therapy

Hyojun Park; Harald Paganetti; Jan Schuemann; Xun Jia; Chul Hee Min

doi:10.1088/1361-6560/ac1d1f

Monte Carlo methods for device simulations in radiation therapy

Phys Med Biol. 2021 Sep 14;66(18):10.1088/1361-6560/ac1d1f. doi: 10.1088/1361-6560/ac1d1f.

Authors

Hyojun Park¹, Harald Paganetti², Jan Schuemann², Xun Jia³, Chul Hee Min¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiation Convergence Engineering, Yonsei University, Wonju, Republic of Korea.
² Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States of America.
³ Department of Radiation Oncology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75235, United States of America.

Abstract

Monte Carlo (MC) simulations play an important role in radiotherapy, especially as a method to evaluate physical properties that are either impossible or difficult to measure. For example, MC simulations (MCSs) are used to aid in the design of radiotherapy devices or to understand their properties. The aim of this article is to review the MC method for device simulations in radiation therapy. After a brief history of the MC method and popular codes in medical physics, we review applications of the MC method to model treatment heads for neutral and charged particle radiation therapy as well as specific in-room devices for imaging and therapy purposes. We conclude by discussing the impact that MCSs had in this field and the role of MC in future device design.

Keywords: Monte Carlo method; device simulation; radiation treatment.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Diagnostic Imaging*
Monte Carlo Method
Radiotherapy Dosage
Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted*

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding