Design and characterization of flattening filter for high dose rate 192Ir and 60Co Leipzig applicators used in skin cancer brachytherapy: A Monte Carlo study. (August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ghobadi, Parvin; Farhood, Bagher; Ghorbani, Mahdi; Mohseni, Mehran
• Is Part Of: Computers in biology and medicine. Volume 123(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-08
• Subjects: Skin cancer -- High dose rate brachytherapy -- 192Ir -- 60Co -- Leipzig applicator -- Flattening filter; Medicine -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Biology -- Data processing -- Periodicals; 610.285
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2020.103878
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0010-4825

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: This study aimed to design optimal flattening filters for high dose rate (HDR) 192 Ir and 60 Co Leipzig applicators which are used to treat skin cancer. Materials and methods: MCNPX Monte Carlo code was used to design flattening filters for Leipzig applicators with inner diameters of 1, 2 and 3 cm. Then, their dosimetric characterizations such as dose distribution, dose profile, percentage depth dose, flatness, symmetry and homogeneity were evaluated in a 20 × 20 × 20 cm 3 water phantom and compared with those without the flattening filter. Results: The flattening filter thickness varied from 0 mm (at the edge) to the maximum values of 0.30, 1.18, and 2.41 mm for the 192 Ir Leipzig applicators of H1, H2, and H3 type, respectively. This quantity has maximum values of 0.96, 6.27, and 12.31 mm for the 60 Co double wall applicators of D1, D2, and D3 type, respectively. The dose profile flatness values for the H1, H2, and H3 192 Ir Leipzig applicators with the optimal flattening filters were 0.76, 1.26, and 1.85%, respectively. Furthermore, the dose profile flatness values for the D1, D2, and D3 60 Co double wall applicators with the optimal flattening filters were 1.11, 2.10 and 3.12%, respectively. The dose profile symmetry values obtained from various source-applicator combinations were less than 1.02. Compared to the applicators without flattening filter, the homogeneity values for the H1, H2, and H3 192 Ir Leipzig applicators with the optimal flattening filters were improved 1.68, 6.51, and 13.17 times, respectively, and for the D1, D2, and D3 60 Co double wall applicators were improved 1.23, 6.21 and 9.54 times, respectively. Conclusion: The findings revealed that the inhomogeneous dose distribution resulted from the Leipzig applicators without the optimal flattening filter at the treatment surface could be improved by insertion of optimal lead flattening filters between the sources and treatment surface. Highlights: Optimal flattening filters for HDR 192 Ir and 60 Co Leipzig applicators were designed. Dose profile flatness values for applicators with optimal flattening filters were improved. Dose homogeneity values for applicators optimal flattening filters were improved.