TU‐B‐BRB‐02: Monte Carlo — II: Application of Monte Carlo to Clinical IMRT Treatment Planning

Abstract

The goal of this course is to familiarize participants with the clinical use of Monte Carlo (MC) dose calculation algorithms in IMRT photon‐beam treatment planning. Particular focus will be applied to the actual and potential clinical impact of MC dose calculation algorithms on patient treatments. Following a brief description of the integration of MC algorithms with commercial planning systems, MC dose re‐calculation results will be compared with plans computed using the conventional commercial treatment planning system algorithms. Specific patient examples where MC computed doses differ significantly from those computed with standard treatment planning system algorithms will be presented, with the causes of the dose discrepancies identified. With this background, the roles that MC has played in actual clinical practice will be described: as a QA tool to validate treatment planning system algorithms, as a QA tool to validate individual IMRT plans, and as a treatment planning tool to improve conformity between optimized and delivered IMRT plans. Strategies to minimize MC dose calculation time during IMRT optimization will be described.Educational Objectives:1. To instruct clinical physicists regarding roles of Monte Carlo dose calculations for clinical IMRT patient treatment planning.2. To describe the role of Monte Carlo in IMRT treatment planning system and patient specific quality assurance.3. To describe clinical cases where Monte Carlo dose calculation either resulted —or would have resulted— in a change in the clinical treatment.4. To describe the applications of and impact of Monte Carlo dose calculations for IMRT optimization.5. This work was sponsored in part by Philips Medical Systems and Varian Medical Systems.