June 9, 2019
Publications
>
Article

Feasibility assessment of the interactive use of a Monte Carlo algorithm in treatment planning for intraoperative electron radiation therapy

Publicated to: PHYSICS IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY. 59 (23): 7159-7179 - 2014-12-07 59(23), DOI: 10.1088/0031-9155/59/23/7159

Authors:

Guerra, P; Udías, JM; Herranz, E; Santos-Miranda, JA; Herraiz, JL; Valdivieso, MF; Rodríguez, R; Calama, JA; Pascau, J; Calvo, FA; Illana, C; Ledesma-Carbayo, MJ; Santos, A
[+]

Affiliations

Biomed Res Ctr Bioengn Biomat & Nanomed CIBER BBN, San Sebastian, Spain - Author
Clin La Luz, Dept Radiat Oncol, Madrid 28003, Spain - Author
GMV SA, Madrid 28760, Spain - Author
Hosp Gen Univ Gregorio Maranon, Dept Oncol, Madrid, Spain - Author
Inst Invest Sanitaria Gregorio Maranon, Madrid 28007, Spain - Author
Univ Carlos III Madrid, Dept Bioingn & Ingn Aeroespacial, Leganes 28911, Spain - Author
Univ Complutense Madrid, Atom Mol & Nucl Phys Dept, Nucl Phys Grp GFN, CEI Moncloa, E-28040 Madrid, Spain - Author
Univ Complutense Madrid, Fac Med, CEI Moncloa, E-28040 Madrid, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, ETSI Telecomun, Dept Elect Engn, CEI Moncloa, E-28040 Madrid, Spain - Author
See more

Abstract

This work analysed the feasibility of using a fast, customized Monte Carlo (MC) method to perform accurate computation of dose distributions during pre- and intraplanning of intraoperative electron radiation therapy (IOERT) procedures. The MC method that was implemented, which has been integrated into a specific innovative simulation and planning tool, is able to simulate the fate of thousands of particles per second, and it was the aim of this work to determine the level of interactivity that could be achieved. The planning workflow enabled calibration of the imaging and treatment equipment, as well as manipulation of the surgical frame and insertion of the protection shields around the organs at risk and other beam modifiers. In this way, the multidisciplinary team involved in IOERT has all the tools necessary to perform complex MC dosage simulations adapted to their equipment in an efficient and transparent way. To assess the accuracy and reliability of this MC technique, dose distributions for a monoenergetic source were compared with those obtained using a general-purpose software package used widely in medical physics applications. Once accuracy of the underlying simulator was confirmed, a clinical accelerator was modelled and experimental measurements in water were conducted. A comparison was made with the output from the simulator to identify the conditions under which accurate dose estimations could be obtained in less than 3 min, which is the threshold imposed to allow for interactive use of the tool in treatment planning. Finally, a clinically relevant scenario, namely early-stage breast cancer treatment, was simulated with pre- and intraoperative volumes to verify that it was feasible to use the MC tool intraoperatively and to adjust dose delivery based on the simulation output, without compromising accuracy. The workflow provided a satisfactory model of the treatment head and the imaging system, enabling proper configuration of the treatment planning system and providing good accuracy in the dosage simulation.
[+]

Keywords

AlgorithmsBeamCommitteeDose calculationDosimetryElectronsFeasibility studiesHistoryIntraoperative electron beam radiation therapyIntraoperative periodIntraoperative radiotherapyIortMonte carlo methodMonte carlo treatment planningPhotonRadiotherapy dosageRadiotherapy planning, computer-assistedReproducibility of resultsSimulationSystem

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal PHYSICS IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency Scopus (SJR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2014, it was in position , thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Radiological and Ultrasound Technology. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2026-04-25:

  • Google Scholar: 24
  • WoS: 20
  • Scopus: 20
  • Europe PMC: 7
[+]

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-25:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 36.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 36 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 6.

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
  • Assignment of a Handle/URN as an identifier within the deposit in the Institutional Repository: https://oa.upm.es/35891/

As a result of the publication of the work in the institutional repository, statistical usage data has been obtained that reflects its impact. In terms of dissemination, we can state that, as of

  • Views: 580
  • Downloads: 518
[+]

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (Guerra, Pedro) and Last Author (SANTOS LLEO, ANDRES DE).

[+]

Awards linked to the item

This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, currently integrated in the Ministry of Economy, under grants IPT-300000-2010-003, IPT-2012-0401-300000, TEC2010-21619-C04, TEC2013-48251-C2, TEC2011-28972-C02-02 and FPA2010-17142, and by Comunidad de Madrid grant TOPUS P2013/MIT-3024.
[+]