Dose Optimization and Irradiation Angle Analysis for Advanced Liver Cancer Using PHITS Version 3.341
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55981/tdm.2025.7149Keywords:
Liver Cancer, HCC, Fraction, Dosimetry, Radiotherapy, X-Ray Therapy, PHITS Version 3.341Abstract
Based on 2022 statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), liver cancer ranks as the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, claiming approximately 750,000 lives annually. X-ray therapy has demonstrated effectiveness in providing local-regional control, making it a potential treatment modality for liver cancer. This study aims to determine the optimal irradiation direction for advanced-stage (C) Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) using radiation therapy. To simulate the X-ray radiation transport process in the human body, a phantom model has been developed using various materials that mimic body tissues with the PHITS (Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System) program Monte Carlo method. The study revealed that the irradiation direction greatly affects the irradiation time required to achieve the prescribed dose threshold. X-ray therapy dose analysis evaluates the number of fractions required to achieve a lethal dose to cancer cells while minimizing the dose to healthy surrounding cells. The irradiation direction was varied at 0°, 45°, and 90° to find the optimal angle that results in the shortest irradiation time. By evaluating the number of fractions needed to reach the lethal dose limit for cancer cells, the 45° or Right Anterior Oblique (RAO) irradiation direction is the most optimal direction with a total of 16–25 fractions with an irradiation time of 2.01 minutes/fraction and a dose to cancer of 1.94 Gy/fraction. These findings could contribute to the refinement of treatment protocols, which potentially improve outcomes for patients with advanced liver cancer.
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