The primary objective is to use the convolution/superposition method of computing radiation dose to improve the prediction of dose deposition in radiotherapy treatments. This approach is the only one capable of accounting for the dose in situations of electronic disequilibrium encountered near beam and patient boundaries and in regions of tissue heterogeneity. The method will be integrated into an existing treatment planning system to be used as a tool for algorithm research and program development as well as dosimetry research. Further research into the convolution/superposition approach will be undertaken. This includes reducing the calculation time necessary for three-dimensional dose planning, extending its usefulness to electron beam treatment planning and developing it for use in whole body radiotherapy and brachytherapy. Automated optimization is an exciting new area of investigation using deconvolution mathematics.
The first aims for optimization will be designing compensation filters and finding the best source positions and activities in brachytherapy. Dosimetry research will be carried out for clinical situations that have electronic disequilibrium and other significant deviations from the geometry of a water phantom. These sites include tumors in the breast, thorax and head and neck. The convolution superposition method will be compared to other dose planning algorithms, measurements and the results of Monte Carlo modelling.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
First Independent Research Support & Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29)
Project #
5R29CA048902-02
Application #
3459227
Study Section
Radiation Study Section (RAD)
Project Start
1988-12-01
Project End
1993-11-30
Budget Start
1989-12-01
Budget End
1990-11-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
1990
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Wisconsin Madison
Department
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
161202122
City
Madison
State
WI
Country
United States
Zip Code
53715
Papanikolaou, N; Mackie, T R; Meger-Wells, C et al. (1993) Investigation of the convolution method for polyenergetic spectra. Med Phys 20:1327-36
Mackie, T R; Holmes, T; Swerdloff, S et al. (1993) Tomotherapy: a new concept for the delivery of dynamic conformal radiotherapy. Med Phys 20:1709-19
Simpkin, D J; Cullom, S J; Mackie, T R (1992) The spatial and energy dependence of bremsstrahlung production about beta point sources in H2O. Med Phys 19:105-14
Gehring, M A; Mackie, T R; Kubsad, S S et al. (1991) A three-dimensional volume visualization package applied to stereotactic radiosurgery treatment planning. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 21:491-500
Kubsad, S S; Mackie, T R; Gehring, M A et al. (1990) Monte Carlo and convolution dosimetry for stereotactic radiosurgery. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 19:1027-35