Physics Colloquium: Applications of Dose Calculation Algorithms in Medical Physics

Marissa Vaccarelli, FCRH ‘2018, who specializes in radiation therapy at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center will present the “Applications of Dose Calculation Algorithms in Medical Physics” lecture. This presentation will discuss the various classes of dose calculation algorithms used in radiation therapy treatment planning, as well as research applications. Model and direct methods, such as convolution superposition and Monte Carlo, respectively, will be highlighted.

Two projects harnessing the automated calculation of therapeutic dose in radiation oncology will be examined. First, knowledge-based treatment planning involves dose estimation based on organ segmentation of computed tomography simulation images. Using the Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm of the Eclipse Treatment Planning System, an iterative optimization approach can be utilized to auto-generate clinically feasible plans. Second, rapid dose calculation can also be used for managing and mitigating intra-fractional patient motion during treatment delivery.