Determination of radiation dose to bone tumours during Molecular Radiotherapy using patient specific phantom imaging and Monte Carlo modelling

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The aim of this project is to demonstrate the feasibility of establishing accurate in-vivo dosimetry for bone tumours during clinical Molecular Radiotherapy (MRT) using Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). With the introduction of directed MRT for prostate cancer into Europe, and now spreading to the UK, there is an urgent need for development of accurate radiation dosimetry for the bone metastases that dominate in this disease. This proposal will extend our previously developed approach, based on Monte- Carlo (MC) simulations and realistic 3D printed patient organs, into the novel and complex area of dose delivered within a bone tumours or metastasis. This will be achieved by incorporating a detailed understanding of the structure and relationship of bone and tumour into our MC models with experimental validation from 3D printed phantoms. At present worldwide, there are large discrepancies in determining dose and a harmonised approach cannot be proposed. Our proposed project stems from core nuclear physics interactions of radiation with matter and aligns with the strategic healthcare area. The CASE student will work within our established collaboration between The University of Manchester nuclear physics group and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust nuclear medicine department to address this problem.