Skin dose in breast radiation therapy: Monte Carlo calculations from deformed vector fields (DVF)-driven CT images

TL;DR

This study introduces a Monte Carlo-based computational tool that recalculates skin dose in breast radiotherapy by accounting for patient-specific geometric changes using DVF-driven CT images, aiming to improve dose accuracy.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel method combining Monte Carlo calculations with DVF-driven CT images to dynamically assess skin dose during breast radiotherapy.

Findings

Validated Monte Carlo skin dose calculations against clinical data.

Demonstrated the tool's ability to adapt to geometric changes in breast shape.

Improved accuracy over traditional TPS algorithms.

Abstract

Skin dose in radiotherapy is a key issue for reducing patient side effects, but dose calculations in this high-gradient region remains a challenge. To support radiation therapists and medical physicist in their decisions, a computational tool has been developed to systematically recalculate the skin dose for each treatment session, taking into account changes in breast geometry. This tool is based on Monte Carlo skin dose calculations from deformed vector fields (DVF)-driven CT images, using 3D-scanner data. The application of deformation fields to the initial patient CT, as well as the validation of Monte Carlo skin dose calculations and comparison with TPS algorithm, are presented. The tool is currently being evaluated using data from a clinical study involving 60 patients (MorphoBreast3D).