A hybrid multi-particle approach to range assessment-based treatment verification in particle therapy
Ilker Meric (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences)
Enver Alagoz (Western Norway University of Applied Sciences)
Liv B. Hysing (Haukeland University Hospital, University of Bergen and Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research)
Toni Kögler ( Institute of Radiooncology– OncoRay, Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden)
Danny Lathouwers (TU Delft - RST/Reactor Physics and Nuclear Materials)
William R.B. Lionheart (The University of Manchester)
John Mattingly (University of North Carolina)
Jasmina Obhodas (Ruđer Bošković Institute)
Marta Rovituso (HollandPTC)
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Abstract
Particle therapy (PT) used for cancer treatment can spare healthy tissue and reduce treatment toxicity. However, full exploitation of the dosimetric advantages of PT is not yet possible due to range uncertainties, warranting development of range-monitoring techniques. This study proposes a novel range-monitoring technique introducing the yet unexplored concept of simultaneous detection and imaging of fast neutrons and prompt-gamma rays produced in beam-tissue interactions. A quasi-monolithic organic detector array is proposed, and its feasibility for detecting range shifts in the context of proton therapy is explored through Monte Carlo simulations of realistic patient models and detector resolution effects. The results indicate that range shifts of 1mm can be detected at relatively low proton intensities (22.30 (13) × 10 7 protons/spot) when spatial information obtained through imaging of both particle species are used simultaneously. This study lays the foundation for multi-particle detection and imaging systems in the context of range verification in PT.
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