Energy- and Intensity-Modulated Electron Beam for Breast Cancer
Abstract
In this project, we investigate energy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (EIMRT) for breast cancer to deliver dose distributions that closely match the target volume and minimize the dose to critical normal structures. We have worked on the following tasks: (1) to characterize electron beams from Helium-filled accelerators for EIMRT, (2) to develop optimization algorithms for EIMRT using these electron beams, (3) to verify these optimized dose distributions using the Monte Carlo simulation technique, and (4) to compare the optimized dose plans obtained by EIMRT with conventional treatment plans and those obtained by photon intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). During the second year research, we have performed accurate Monte Carlo simulations of the electron beams in He-filled accelerators and also investigated the effect of magnetic field modulation. Our results demonstrated that electron beams could be modulated more effectively using an electron MLC and a 1.5 T magnetic field to deliver superior dose distributions for EIMRT. We have tested different algorithms for "Inverse treatment planning" to optimize breast treatment plans for EIMRT. The results confirmed that EIMRT is superior to photon IMRT and much more effective then conventional tangential photon treatments. Further studies will be performed to verify the dose plans for realistic patients. The outcome will determine whether EIMRT offers a significant advantage over conventional photon/electron treatment and over photon IMRT.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA390381
Entities
People
- Chang M. Ma
Organizations
- Stanford University