On the conversion of dose to bone to dose to water in radiotherapy treatment planning systems

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Conversion factors between dose to medium (D(m,m)) and dose to water (D(w,w)) provided by treatment planning systems that model the patient as water with variable electron density are currently based on stopping power ratios. In the current paper it will be illustrated that this conversion method is not correct. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Monte Carlo calculations were performed in a phantom consisting of a 2 cm bone layer surrounded by water. D(w,w) was obtained by modelling the bone layer as water with the electron density of bone. Conversion factors between D(w,w) and D(m,m) were obtained and compared to stopping power ratios and ratios of mass-energy absorption coefficients in regions of electronic equilibrium and interfaces. Calculations were performed for 6 MV and 20 MV photon beams. RESULTS: In the region of electronic equilibrium the stopping power ratio of water to bone (1.11) largely overestimates the conversion obtained using the Monte Carlo calculations (1.06). In that region the MC dose conversion corresponds to the ratio of mass energy absorption coefficients. Near the water to bone interface, the MC ratio cannot be determined from stopping powers or mass energy absorption coefficients. CONCLUSION: Stopping power ratios cannot be used for conversion from D(m,m) to D(w,w) provided by treatment planning systems that model the patient as water with variable electron density, either in regions of electronic equilibrium or near interfaces. In regions of electronic equilibrium mass energy absorption coefficient ratios should be used. Conversions at interfaces require detailed MC calculations.