Comparison of dose distributions calculated by the cyberknife Monte Carlo and ray tracing algorithms for lung tumors: a phantom study

Abstract

Commercial treatment planning systems with have different dose calculation algorithms have been developed for radiotherapy plans. The Ray Tracing and the Monte Carlo dose calculation algorithms are available for MultiPlan treatment planning system. Many studies indicated that the Monte Carlo algorithm enables the more accurate dose distributions in heterogeneous regions such a lung than the Ray Tracing algorithm. The purpose of this study was to compare the Ray Tracing algorithm with the Monte Carlo algorithm for lung tumors in CyberKnife System. An Alderson Rando anthropomorphic phantom was used for creating CyberKnife treatment plans. The treatment plan was developed using the Ray Tracing algorithm. Then, this plan was recalculated with the Monte Carlo algorithm. EBT3 radiochromic films were put in the phantom to obtain measured dose distributions. The calculated doses were compared with the measured doses. The Monte Carlo algorithm is the more accurate dose calculation method than the Ray Tracing algorithm in nonhomogeneous structures.