Joao Seco

Monte Carlo Techniques in Radiation Therapy - Imaging in Medical Diagnosis and Therapy Joao Seco 1st edition

Brief Description: "Preface Monte Carlo simulation techniques made a slow entry in the field of radiotherapy in the late seventies. Since then they have gained enormous popularity, judging by the number of papers published and PhD degrees obtained on the topic. Calculation power has always been an issue, so initially only simple problems could be addressed. They led to insights, though, that could not have been obtained by any other method. Recently, fast forwarding some thirty years, Monte Carlo-based treatment planning tools have now begun to be available from some commercial treatment planning vendors, and it can be anticipated that a complete transition to Monte Carlo-based dose calculation methods may take place over the next decade. The progress of image-guided radiotherapy further advances the need for Monte Carlo simulations, in order to better understand and compute radiation dose from imaging devices and make full use of the four-dimensional information now available. Exciting new developments in in-beam imaging in light ion beams are now also being investigated vigorously. Many new discoveries await the use of Monte Carlo technique in radiotherapy in the coming decades. The book addresses the application of the Monte Carlo particle transport simulation technique in radiation therapy, mostly focusing on external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy. It includes a presentation of the mathematical and technical aspects of the technique in particle transport simulations. It gives practical guidance relevant for clinical use in radiation therapy, discussing modeling of medical linacs and other irradiation devices, issues speci?c to electron, photon, proton/particle beams, and brachytherapy, utilization in the optimization of treatment planning, radiation dosimetry"--Provided by publisher. Biographical Note: Joao Seco is an assistant professor of radiation oncology at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. He earned his PhD from the Institute of Cancer Research, University of London. His research interests range from proton imaging and therapy to photon beam modeling Monte Carlo, electronic portal imaging, and 4D Monte Carlo proton and photon dosimetry. Frank Verhaegen is head of clinical physics research at the Maastro Clinic. He also holds a professorship at the University of Maastricht. Dr. Verhaegen is a fellow of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine and the Institute of Physics. He earned his PhD from the University of Ghent. His research interests include imaging and dosimetry for photon and electron therapy, brachytherapy, particle therapy, and small animal radiotherapy. Publisher Marketing: Providing a detailed guide to the use and customization of Monte Carlo techniques in radiation therapy, this book covers the breadth of practical medical applications of Monte Carlo methods including the modeling of irradiation devices and issues specific to electron, photon, proto/particle beams and brachytherapy.