Therapeutic Applications of Monte Carlo Calculations in Nuclear Medicine

Therapeutic Applications of Monte Carlo Calculations in Nuclear Medicine examines the applications of Monte Carlo (MC) calculations in therapeutic nuclear medicine, from basic principles to computer implementations of software packages and their applications in radiation dosimetry and treatment planning. With chapters written by recognized authorities in the field, the book covers the entire range of MC applications in therapeutic medical and health physics, from its use in imaging prior to therapy to dose distribution modeling in targeted radiotherapy. The contributors discuss the fundamental concepts of radiation dosimetry, radiobiological aspects of targeted radionuclide therapy, and the various components and steps required for implementing a dose calculation and treatment planning methodology in radioimmunotherapy. Several computer programs, such as MIRDOSE, MABDOS, and 3D-ID, are described and illustrated with some useful features and clinical applications. Other potential applications of MC techniques are discussed together with computing aspects of radiation transport calculations. The book is written for nuclear medicine physicists and physicians as well as radiation oncologists, and can serve as a supplementary text for medical imaging, radiation dosimetry, and nuclear engineering graduate courses in science, medical, and engineering institutions.