Publications by authors named "Juan Castro-Novais"
The unique biophysical properties of proton therapy (PT), regarding the precise dose distribution, a remarkable better sparing of surrounding normal tissues, and the decreasing costs have promoted the spread of this technique worldwide. In Spain, eleven new PT centers, added to the currently two in function, are expected to be available in the near future. Indications for PT are currently evolving.
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- A new calibration method for dual energy CT (DECT) using material decomposition maps for iodine and water has been developed, aimed at enhancing the accuracy of imaging.
- Experiments conducted on a GE revolution CT scanner showed that the method successfully reproduces Hounsfield unit (HU) values with less than 1% error, validating its effectiveness.
- This novel calibration offers comparable accuracy to existing methods, while providing better precision, making it particularly beneficial for applications like proton therapy where accurate tissue differentiation is crucial.
Proton therapy has advantages and pitfalls comparing with photon therapy in radiation therapy. Among the limitations of protons in clinical practice we can selectively mention: uncertainties in range, lateral penumbra, deposition of higher LET outside the target, entrance dose, dose in the beam path, dose constraints in critical organs close to the target volume, organ movements and cost. In this review, we combine proposals under study to mitigate those pitfalls by using individually or in combination: (a) biological approaches of beam management in time (very high dose rate "FLASH" irradiations in the order of 100 Gy/s) and (b) modulation in space (a combination of mini-beams of millimetric extent), together with mechanical approaches such as (c) rotational techniques (optimized in partial arcs) and, in an effort to reduce cost, (d) gantry-less delivery systems.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAim: To analyse the efficacy and toxicity of postprostatectomy SRT in patients with a BCR evaluated with mpMRI.
Background: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) has the ability to detect the site of pelvic recurrence in patients with biochemical recurrence (BCR) after radical prostatectomy (RP). However, we do not know the oncological outcomes of mpMRI-guided savage radiotherapy (SRT).
Varian introduced (in 2010) the option of removing the flattening filter (FF) in their C-Arm linacs for intensity-modulated treatments. This mode, called flattening filter-free (FFF), offers the advantage of a greater dose rate. Varian's "Portal Dosimetry" is an electronic portal imager device (EPID)-based tool for IMRT verification.
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