Monte Carlo dose calculation of GZP6 Co-60 stepping source based on a matrix shift technique

Background: As a routine method for stepping source simulation, a Monte Carlo program is run according to the number of steps and then the summation of dose from each run is taken to obtain total dose distribution. This method is time consuming. Aim: As an alternative method, a matrix shift based technique was applied to simulate a stepping source for brachytherapy. Materials and methods: The stepping source of GZP6 brachytherapy unit was simulated. In a matrix shift method, it is assumed that a radiation source is stationary and instead the data matrix is shifted based on the number of steps. In this study, by running MCNPX program for one point and calculation of the dose matrix using the matrix shift method, the isodose curves for the esophageal cancer tumor lengths of 4 and 6 cm were obtained and compared with the isodose curves obtained by running MCNPX programs in each step position separately (15 and 23 steps for esophageal cancer tumor lengths of 4 and 6 cm, respectively). Results: The difference between the two dose matrixes for the stepping and matrix shift methods based on the average dose differences are 3.85x10(-4) Gy and 5.19x10(-4) Gy for treatment length of 4 cm and 6 cm, respectively. Dose differences are insignificant and these two methods are equally valid. Conclusions: The matrix shift method presented in this study can be used for calculation of dose distribution for a brachytherapy stepping source as a quicker tool compared to other routine Monte Carlo based methods. (C) 2010 Greater Poland Cancer Centre, Poland. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z.o.o. All rights reserved.