Reduced neutron production through use of a flattening-filter-free accelerator.
OBJECTIVE
To measure and compare neutron fluence around an accelerator operating at 18 MV, both with the flattening filter present (FF mode) and absent (flattening-filter-free [FFF] mode).


METHODS
The neutron fluence was measured at several locations in the patient plane using gold foil activation in neutron moderators. Differences in neutron fluence between the FF and FFF mode were assessed in three frameworks: (1) measured per monitor unit of machine-on time, (2) determined per dose on the central axis, and (3) determined for a complete course of prostate intensity-modulated radiotherapy.


RESULTS
Neutron fluence per monitor unit was approximately 20% lower when the accelerator was operated in the FFF mode than when it was in FF mode. The total amount of neutron fluence that would be obtained during the entire course of prostate intensity-modulate radiotherapy was 69% lower when the accelerator was operated in the FFF mode than when it was in the FF mode. This reduction in neutron fluence would correspond to a drastic reduction in the neutron dose equivalent received by the patient as a byproduct of high-energy radiotherapy. It would also correspond to a reduction in activation within the treatment vault and subsequent exposure to radiation therapists.


CONCLUSIONS
When feasible, operating the accelerator without a FF will benefit both patients and radiation therapists by reducing the number of unwanted neutrons and resultant exposure. This reduces the risk of negative effects from such exposure (e.g., second cancers).
Kry
Stephen F
SF
Department of Radiation Physics, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA. sfkry@mdanderson.org
Titt
Uwe
U
Pönisch
Falk
F
Vassiliev
Oleg N
ON
Salehpour
Mohammad
M
Gillin
Michael
M
Mohan
Radhe
R
D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009502:Neutrons; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D010315:Particle Accelerators / Q000295:instrumentation*; D055585:Physical Phenomena; D010825:Physics; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D018787:Radiation Oncology; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000295:instrumentation*