Abstract
Background: Monte Carlo dose calculation techniques for clinical photon and electron beams potentially predict the dose with an accuracy of better than ± 2%. However, to achieve this precision, knowledge of the interaction properties in each volume element is essential. Material and Methods: In the present paper a method for mass density to total cross section conversion is described. This method is based on a detailed analysis of the interaction data for body tissues (ICRU Report 46) and allows the conversion without knowing the atomic composition. Results: The analysis resulted in various fit functions allowing the calculation of interaction parameters for arbitrary materials using the corresponding cross sections in water. Conclusion: Together with standard procedures to calculate mass densities from a given CT number distribution, the method represents an effective and accurate algorithm to determine photon interaction coefficients, electron stopping powers as well as electron scatter parameters.
| Translated title of the contribution | Determination of the human tissue interaction parameters for Monte Carlo dose calculations in radiation therapy |
|---|---|
| Original language | German |
| Pages (from-to) | 206-211 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Strahlentherapie und Onkologie |
| Volume | 177 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2001 |
| Externally published | Yes |