Quantitative Assessment of Photoneutron-induced Secondary Radiation Dose in Prostate Treatment Using an 18 MV Medical Linear Accelerator: A Monte Carlo Study

Purpose: This study aims to quantify the secondary radiation dose caused by photoneutrons during prostate cancer treatment using an 18 MV medical linear accelerator (LINAC) through Monte Carlo simulations and experimental validation. Methods: Monte Carlo simulations were performed using G4Linac_MT t...

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Main Authors: Mustapha Assalmi, Abdullah Alshreef, EL Yamani Diaf, Assia Arectout, Nicholas Ade, El Hassan El Berhdadi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Medical Physics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jmp.jmp_141_24
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author Mustapha Assalmi
Abdullah Alshreef
EL Yamani Diaf
Assia Arectout
Nicholas Ade
El Hassan El Berhdadi
author_facet Mustapha Assalmi
Abdullah Alshreef
EL Yamani Diaf
Assia Arectout
Nicholas Ade
El Hassan El Berhdadi
author_sort Mustapha Assalmi
collection DOAJ
description Purpose: This study aims to quantify the secondary radiation dose caused by photoneutrons during prostate cancer treatment using an 18 MV medical linear accelerator (LINAC) through Monte Carlo simulations and experimental validation. Methods: Monte Carlo simulations were performed using G4Linac_MT to model the 18 MV photon beam of an Elekta LINAC. The simulation results were validated against experimental measurements. Neutron characteristics, including penetration, cross-section interactions, Linear Energy Transfer (LET), and dose contributions, were analyzed using an adult male ICRP phantom. Prostate treatment scenarios involved 3D-CRT plans with 4-fields, 5-fields, and 7-fields. Specific absorbed fractions (SAFs) in various organs were also evaluated. Results: Simulation and experimental measurements showed strong agreement, with a dose error of approximately 0.74%, and 97% of dose points passed a 2%/2 mm gamma index. Intermediate neutrons constituted 87.05%, while 12.95% were fast neutrons. Neutron dose contributions were 0.63%, 0.33%, and 0.77% for the 3D-CRT 4-field, 5-field, and 7-field plans, respectively. SAF values decreased as neutron energy increased, highlighting reduced neutron interaction efficiency at higher energies. Conclusions: Monte Carlo simulation is a reliable approach for evaluating neutron dose contributions in high-energy X-ray LINACs. Optimization of treatment plans is essential to minimize neutron-induced dose contributions.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 0971-6203
1998-3913
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publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
record_format Article
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spelling doaj-art-daff97285cda4526af38f0fd514f29822025-01-07T07:19:03ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Medical Physics0971-62031998-39132024-12-0149467368610.4103/jmp.jmp_141_24Quantitative Assessment of Photoneutron-induced Secondary Radiation Dose in Prostate Treatment Using an 18 MV Medical Linear Accelerator: A Monte Carlo StudyMustapha AssalmiAbdullah AlshreefEL Yamani DiafAssia ArectoutNicholas AdeEl Hassan El BerhdadiPurpose: This study aims to quantify the secondary radiation dose caused by photoneutrons during prostate cancer treatment using an 18 MV medical linear accelerator (LINAC) through Monte Carlo simulations and experimental validation. Methods: Monte Carlo simulations were performed using G4Linac_MT to model the 18 MV photon beam of an Elekta LINAC. The simulation results were validated against experimental measurements. Neutron characteristics, including penetration, cross-section interactions, Linear Energy Transfer (LET), and dose contributions, were analyzed using an adult male ICRP phantom. Prostate treatment scenarios involved 3D-CRT plans with 4-fields, 5-fields, and 7-fields. Specific absorbed fractions (SAFs) in various organs were also evaluated. Results: Simulation and experimental measurements showed strong agreement, with a dose error of approximately 0.74%, and 97% of dose points passed a 2%/2 mm gamma index. Intermediate neutrons constituted 87.05%, while 12.95% were fast neutrons. Neutron dose contributions were 0.63%, 0.33%, and 0.77% for the 3D-CRT 4-field, 5-field, and 7-field plans, respectively. SAF values decreased as neutron energy increased, highlighting reduced neutron interaction efficiency at higher energies. Conclusions: Monte Carlo simulation is a reliable approach for evaluating neutron dose contributions in high-energy X-ray LINACs. Optimization of treatment plans is essential to minimize neutron-induced dose contributions.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jmp.jmp_141_24absorbed fractionsmedical linear acceleratormonte carlo simulationneutron energyphotoneutronsprostate treatmentsecondary radiation dose
spellingShingle Mustapha Assalmi
Abdullah Alshreef
EL Yamani Diaf
Assia Arectout
Nicholas Ade
El Hassan El Berhdadi
Quantitative Assessment of Photoneutron-induced Secondary Radiation Dose in Prostate Treatment Using an 18 MV Medical Linear Accelerator: A Monte Carlo Study
Journal of Medical Physics
absorbed fractions
medical linear accelerator
monte carlo simulation
neutron energy
photoneutrons
prostate treatment
secondary radiation dose
title Quantitative Assessment of Photoneutron-induced Secondary Radiation Dose in Prostate Treatment Using an 18 MV Medical Linear Accelerator: A Monte Carlo Study
title_full Quantitative Assessment of Photoneutron-induced Secondary Radiation Dose in Prostate Treatment Using an 18 MV Medical Linear Accelerator: A Monte Carlo Study
title_fullStr Quantitative Assessment of Photoneutron-induced Secondary Radiation Dose in Prostate Treatment Using an 18 MV Medical Linear Accelerator: A Monte Carlo Study
title_full_unstemmed Quantitative Assessment of Photoneutron-induced Secondary Radiation Dose in Prostate Treatment Using an 18 MV Medical Linear Accelerator: A Monte Carlo Study
title_short Quantitative Assessment of Photoneutron-induced Secondary Radiation Dose in Prostate Treatment Using an 18 MV Medical Linear Accelerator: A Monte Carlo Study
title_sort quantitative assessment of photoneutron induced secondary radiation dose in prostate treatment using an 18 mv medical linear accelerator a monte carlo study
topic absorbed fractions
medical linear accelerator
monte carlo simulation
neutron energy
photoneutrons
prostate treatment
secondary radiation dose
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/jmp.jmp_141_24
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