title: Evaluation of a new commercial Monte Carlo dose calculation algorithm for electron beams.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this report the authors present the validation of a Monte Carlo dose calculation algorithm (XiO EMC from Elekta Software) for electron beams.
  
  
  METHODS
  Calculated and measured dose distributions were compared for homogeneous water phantoms and for a 3D heterogeneous phantom meant to approximate the geometry of a trachea and spine. Comparisons of measurements and calculated data were performed using 2D and 3D gamma index dose comparison metrics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Measured outputs agree with calculated values within estimated uncertainties for standard and extended SSDs for open applicators, and for cutouts, with the exception of the 17 MeV electron beam at extended SSD for cutout sizes smaller than 5 × 5 cm(2). Good agreement was obtained between calculated and experimental depth dose curves and dose profiles (minimum number of measurements that pass a 2%/2 mm agreement 2D gamma index criteria for any applicator or energy was 97%). Dose calculations in a heterogeneous phantom agree with radiochromic film measurements (>98% of pixels pass a 3 dimensional 3%/2 mm γ-criteria) provided that the steep dose gradient in the depth direction is considered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinically acceptable agreement (at the 2%/2 mm level) between the measurements and calculated data for measurements in water are obtained for this dose calculation algorithm. Radiochromic film is a useful tool to evaluate the accuracy of electron MC treatment planning systems in heterogeneous media.
authors: Department of Medical Physics, The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada; The Faculty of Medicine, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada; and Department of Physics, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada.
authors: Eric J
authors: EJ
authors: Vandervoort
authors: Department of Medical Physics, The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada; Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Ontario M5G 2M9, Canada; and Heart and Stroke Foundation Centre for Stroke Recovery, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada.
authors: Ekaterina
authors: E
authors: Tchistiakova
authors: Department of Medical Physics, The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada and The Faculty of Medicine, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada.
authors: Daniel J
authors: DJ
authors: La Russa
authors: Department of Medical Physics, The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada; The Faculty of Medicine, The University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada; and Department of Physics, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario K1S 5B6, Canada.
authors: Joanna E
authors: JE
authors: Cygler
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D004583:Electrons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*