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Computational system to create an entry file for replicating I-125 seeds simulating brachytherapy case studies using the MCNPX code
Abstract
Purpose: A computational system was developed for this paper in the C++ programming language, to create a 125I radioactive seed entry file, based on the positioning of a virtual grid (template) in voxel geometries, with the purpose of performing prostate cancer treatment simulations using the MCNPX code.
Methods: The system is fed with information from the planning system with regard to each seed’s location and its depth, and an entry file is automatically created with all the cards (instructions) for each seed regarding their cell blocks and surfaces spread out spatially in the 3D environment. The system provides with precision a reproduction of the clinical scenario for the MCNPX code’s simulation environment, thereby allowing the technique’s in-depth study.
Results and Conclusion: The preliminary results from this study showed that the lateral penumbra of uniform scanning proton beams was less sensitive In order to validate the computational system, an entry file was created with 88 125I seeds that were inserted in the phantom’s MAX06 prostate region with initial activity determined for the seeds at the 0.27 mCi value. Isodose curves were obtained in all the prostate slices in 5 mm steps in the 7 to 10 cm interval, totaling 7 slices. Variance reduction techniques were applied in order to optimize computational time and the reduction of uncertainties such as photon and electron energy interruptions in 4 keV and forced collisions regarding cells of interest. Through the acquisition of isodose curves, the results obtained show that hot spots have values above 300 Gy, as anticipated in literature, stressing the importance of the sources’ correct positioning, in which the computational system developed provides, in order not to release excessive doses in adjacent risk organs. The 144 Gy prescription curve showed in the validation process that it covers perfectly a large percentage of the volume, at the same time that it demonstrates a large decline for short distances.
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Cite this article as: Boia LS, Junior J, Menezes AF, Silva AX. Computational system to create an entry file for replicating I-125 seeds simulating brachytherapy case studies using the MCNPX code. Int J Cancer Ther Oncol 2014; 2(2):02023.
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References
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14319/ijcto.0202.3
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International Journal of Cancer Therapy and Oncology (ISSN 2330-4049)
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