Nanodosimetry in a clinical neutron therapy beam using the variance-covariance method and Monte Carlo simulations

Nanodosimetric single-event distributions or their mean values may contribute to a better understanding of how radiation induced biological damages are produced. They may also provide means for radiation quality characterization in therapy beams. Experimental nanodosimetry is however technically cha...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physics in medicine & biology 2007-08, Vol.52 (16), p.4953-4966
Main Authors: Lillhök, J E, Grindborg, J-E, Lindborg, L, Gudowska, I, Carlsson, G Alm, Söderberg, J, Kopeć, M, Medin, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Computer Simulation
Fysik
MEDICIN
Medicin och hälsovetenskap
MEDICINE
Models, Biological
Models, Statistical
Monte Carlo Method
Nanotechnology - methods
NATURAL SCIENCES
NATURVETENSKAP
Neutron Capture Therapy - methods
Physics
Radiometry - methods
Radiotherapy Dosage
Regression Analysis
Reproducibility of Results
Sensitivity and Specificity
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Summary:Nanodosimetric single-event distributions or their mean values may contribute to a better understanding of how radiation induced biological damages are produced. They may also provide means for radiation quality characterization in therapy beams. Experimental nanodosimetry is however technically challenging and Monte Carlo simulations are valuable as a complementary tool for such investigations. The dose-mean lineal energy was determined in a therapeutic p(65)+Be neutron beam and in a (60)Co gamma beam using low-pressure gas detectors and the variance-covariance method. The neutron beam was simulated using the condensed history Monte Carlo codes MCNPX and SHIELD-HIT. The dose-mean lineal energy was calculated using the simulated dose and fluence spectra together with published data from track-structure simulations. A comparison between simulated and measured results revealed some systematic differences and different dependencies on the simulated object size. The results show that both experimental and theoretical approaches are needed for an accurate dosimetry in the nanometer region. In line with previously reported results, the dose-mean lineal energy determined at 10 nm was shown to be related to clinical RBE values in the neutron beam and in a simulated 175 MeV proton beam as well.
ISSN:0031-9155
1361-6560
1361-6560
DOI:10.1088/0031-9155/52/16/016