title: Monte Carlo dose computation for IMRT optimization.
abstract: A method which combines the accuracy of Monte Carlo dose calculation with a finite size pencil-beam based intensity modulation optimization is presented. The pencil-beam algorithm is employed to compute the fluence element updates for a converging sequence of Monte Carlo dose distributions. The combination is shown to improve results over the pencil-beam based optimization in a lung tumour case and a head and neck case. Inhomogeneity effects like a broader penumbra and dose build-up regions can be compensated for by intensity modulation.
authors.affiliation: Abt. Medizinische Physik, Radiologische Uniklinik, Universität Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Laub
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alber
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Birkner
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nüsslin
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D011874:Radiometry / Q000379:methods*; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000379:methods*