A Feasibility Study to Reduce the Contamination of Photoneutrons and Photons in Organs/Tissues during Radiotherapy

Document Type : Original Paper

Authors

1 Department of Physics, Payame Noor University (PNU), Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Physics, Faculty of Sciences, Golestan University,Gorgan, Iran

3 Golestan university faculty of science, department of physics, Golestan, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Due to out-of-field effects in radiation therapy, the determination and reduction of both unwanted photon and photoneutron doses are essential for the reasonable assessment of the risks to healthy tissues.
Material and Methods: By the application of a multilayer shield throughout the phantom and using two models for photoneutron and photon sources, doses were estimated in a 15-MV linac in tissues and organs. Different neutron moderators were used, and the best materials, such as polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, paraffin, and water, were reported for shielding purpose. Boron carbide and steel were utilized as neutron and gamma absorbents. Various lengths of the shield in line with phantom stature were also assessed in this study.
Results: Except for the target organ, with the shield throughout the phantom, both photoneutron and photon doses approximately reduced by 57-89% and 88-95%, respectively. Extra photoneutron dose in the photon source was also reported due to the shield. Then, unwanted doses, especially photon dose remarkably decreased with increasing the steel thickness. The smaller dimensions of the shield caused also a considerable reduction of the photoneutron and photon doses in the phantom.
Conclusion: The application of a multilayer shield reduces the photon dose remarkably in healthy tissues. Therefore, it is recommended to use shielding materials to decrease photoneutron and photon doses, which can cause a reduction in the risk of secondary cancer. Due to the relatively high mass of the shield, it is necessary to design a proper device to maintain and move the structure.

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Main Subjects

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Iranian Journal of Medical Physics
Volume 17, Issue 6
November and December 2020
Pages 366-373

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History

  • Receive Date: 03 June 2019
  • Revise Date: 30 November 2019
  • Accept Date: 13 December 2019

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