Implementation of a Monte Carlo radiation transport code on Graphics Processing Units (GPU) for accelerated dose calculations in radiation oncology

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Computer-based calculations are essential in radiotherapy to determine the best way to deliver radiation to the disease site. The accuracy of these calculations has traditionally been limited by clinical constraints that dictate a short calculation time. Consequently, the most accurate method to perform these calculations -- Monte Carlo simulations -- is not widely used in the clinic because of relatively long execution times on standard PCs. While fast alternatives to Monte Carlo simulations exist, they nonetheless constitute an approximated solution. Furthermore, these techniques can hardly be used for calculations in a magnetic field, which are required in innovative systems currently in development and combining a radiotherapy device and a magnetic resonance scanner for accurate patient positioning (MRI-linac). For a MRI-linac in particular and for radiotherapy in general, a fast Monte Carlo calculation engine is a long sought-after objective. This research project, conducted in collaboration with Elekta Canada and Elekta CMS Software, is aimed at bringing high-performance Monte Carlo computing to the clinic through the use PCs equipped with high-end graphics cards. These graphics cards can perform parallel calculations and were recently shown to achieve spectacular improvements in the execution speed of Monte Carlo simulations. They let envision major improvements in treatment planning systems used in the clinic. A fast Monte Carlo code also constitute a cornerstone in the development of a MRI-linac, a promising technology in radiation therapy.