Evaluation of protons' most likely paths in inhomogeneous phantoms for proton-computed tomography

Abstract

Proton-computed tomography (pCT) is a unique medical diagnostic tool that potentially allows us to image anatomical regions within a patient by eliminating the conversion function of Hounsfield CT Units and using the relative stopping power in proton therapy. This would subsequently remove relatively large uncertainties in the Bragg peak position, thereby more accurately locating the tumor. Furthermore, the high resolving power with less dosage and increased sparing of healthy tissues from radiation make pCT a more accurate and effective alternative to x-ray CT (xCT)-based proton therapy treatment planning.