Monte Carlo methods to assess biological response to radiation in peripheral organs and in critical organs near the target

Background: The biological effects and clinical consequences of out-of-field radiation in peripheral organs can be difficult to determine, especially for low doses (0.1 Gy-1 Gy). In recent years, Monte Carlo (MC) methods have been proposed to more accurately predict nontarget doses. The aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility of using Monte Carlo methods to predict the biological response of tissues and critical organs to low dose radiation (0.1 to 1 Gy) based on results published in the literature.

Materials and methods: Literature review, including studies published by our group.

Results and conclusions: It has long been assumed that radiation doses to peripheral organs located far from the target volume are too low to have any clinical impact. In recent years, however, concerns about the risk of treatment-induced secondary cancers, even in peripheral organs, have continued to grow in line with increasing life expectancy. At present, it is difficult in routine calculations to accurately determine radiation doses to the whole body and peripheral organs. Moreover, the potential clinical impact of these doses remains uncertain and the biological response to low dose radiation depends on the organ. In this context, MC methods can predict biological response in those organs. Monte Carlo methods have become a powerful tool to better predict the consequences of interactions between ionising radiation and biological matter. MC modelling can also help to characterise microscopic system dynamics and to provide a better understanding of processes occurring at the cellular, molecular, and nanoscales.