Application of instruments of nuclear physics to the calculation of theoretical dose distributions in various organs of the human body for beams used in hadrontherapy

TL;DR

This paper adapts nuclear physics tools to calculate dose distributions in human tissues for hadrontherapy, comparing theoretical predictions with experimental data to improve treatment planning.

Contribution

It introduces a simplified model using adapted nuclear physics programs to estimate dose distributions in biological tissues for hadrontherapy.

Findings

Calculated dose distributions align with experimental data

Adapted programs effectively model energy loss in tissues

Provides a basis for improved treatment planning in hadrontherapy

Abstract

The area of interests of nuclear physics are studies of reactions, wherein atomic nuclei of projectile collide with target nuclei. An amount of energy lost by projectile nucleus during its passing through the target is a major issue - it is important to know how charged particles interact with matter. It is possible to afford this knowledge by using theoretical programs, which calculate energy loss applying Bethe-Bloch equation. Hadrontherapy, which is a field of still growing interest, is based on interactions of charged particles with matter. Therefore exists a need of creating a simple model, which could be used to the calculation of dose distributions in biological matter. Two programs (SRIM, Xeloss), used to the calculation of energy loss by nuclear physicist, have been adapted to determine dose distributions in analogs of human tissues. Results of the calculations with those programs for beams used in hadrontherapy (e.g. $^1$H, $^{12}$C) will be compared with experimental data available in references.