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Jenny Kouri
March 30, 2015
Treatment Planning
Dose Calculation Algorithm: Collapsed-Cone (CC) Convolution
At the Minneapolis VA medical center, Pinnacle3 9.10 is used to aid in the planning of
radiation treatments. Doses are computed with Collapsed-Cone (CC) Convolution Superposition
calculation algorithm, a popular and well-accepted choice for commercial treatment planning
systems.
Convolution refers to a twisting of many parts or something complicated and difficult to
understand.1 Mathematically, it is defined as a function derived from two given functions by
integration that expresses how the shape of one is modified by the other.a2 For example, a
mathematical operation had two separate functions, a and b. A third function, c, was
produced from a and b. As a product of a and b, it is characteristic of c to be viewed
as a modified version of either a and/or b. In reference to the calculation algorithm, a final
dose results when the product of TERMA and dose point kernel integrates (twists or
convolutes) over a volume.
Dose is computed first by taking into account the primary beam.2, 3,4 Photons in the
primary beam have not interacted with other particles and travel along a ray at single points.3
Once interaction occurs, the photons scatter to different points. Therefore, a second calculation
of the scattered photons and electrons are computed.2, 3,4 This takes into account the energy
scattered from points over the volume of the patient.3
The primary and scatter components are computed separately and then are combined.
The sum the primary and scatter components are shown below in the dose calculation for CC
convolution algorithm.2, 3,4 This is expressed as an integral over a volume:

D(r)= dose at some point r

2
( r ) = Primary energy fluency represented as the product of the number of photons per unit
area and their energy within the patient
u
p (r )

= Mass attenuation coefficient represented the fraction of energy removed from the

primary energy fluency per unit mass

T (r)= TERMA= product of ( r ) and

u
p (r )

K ( r ' r ) dV = Convolution kernel; gives the fraction of the TERMA from a primary
interaction point that is deposited to surrounding points
To take into account of heterogeneity, the convolution superposition algorithm is modified from
the original equation and is shown below:

References
1. Convolution. Merriam Webster Web Site. http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/convolution. Accessed March 30, 2015.
2. DesRosiers C. Calculation algorithms in radiation therapy treatment planning systems.
[Power point]. Medical Dosimetry Web Site.
http://www.medicaldosimetry.org/pub/397f61d4-2354-d714-5172-744e9b92e649.
Accessed March 30, 2015.
3. Gifford, K. Photon Beam Dose Calculation Algorithms. [Power point]. Medical
Dosimetry Web Site. www.uthgsbsmedphys.org/.../Photon_Beam_Algorithms_MPIIIGifford. Accessed March 30, 2015.
4. Washington C, Leaver D. Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy. 3rd ed. St. Louis,
MO: Mosby-Elsevier; 2010.