Physical aspects of Bragg curve of therapeutic oxygen-ion beam: Monte Carlo simulation

Abstract Introduction: Oxygen (16O) ion beams have been recommended for cancer treatment due to its physical Bragg curve feature and biological property. The goal of this research is to use Monte Carlo simulation to analyze the physical features of the 16O Bragg curve in water and tissue. Material and methods: In order to determine the benefits and drawbacks of ion beam therapy, Monte Carlo simulation (PHITS code) was used to investigate the interaction and dose deposition properties of oxygen ions beam in water and human tissue medium. A benchmark study for the depth–dose distribution of a 16O ion beam in a water phantom was established using the PHITS code. Bragg’s peak location of 16O ions in water was simulated using the effect of water’s mean ionization potential. The contribution of secondary particles produced by nuclear fragmentation to the total dose has been calculated. The depth and radial dose profiles of 16O, 12C, 4He, and 1H beams were compared. Results: It was shown that PHITS accurately reproduces the measured Bragg curves. The mean ionization potential of water was estimated. It has been found that secondary particles contribute 10% behind the Bragg peak for 16O energy of 300 MeV/u. The comparison of the depth and radial dose profiles of 16O, 12C, 4He, and 1H beams, shows clearly, that the oxygen beam has the greater deposited dose at Bragg peak and the minor lateral deflection. Conclusions: The combination of these physical characteristics with radio-biological ones in the case of resistant organs located behind the tumor volume, leads to the conclusion that the 16O ion beams can be used to treat deep-seated hypoxic tumors.