Program Information
MatRad - An Open-Source Multi-Modality Treatment Planning Toolkit for Educational Purposes
M Bangert*, H Wieser, A Stadler, O Jaekel, German Cancer Research Center DKFZ & Heidelberg Institute for Radiation Oncology, Heidelberg, BW
Presentations
MO-DE-201-3 (Monday, July 31, 2017) 1:45 PM - 3:45 PM Room: 201
Purpose: To describe the educational application of matRad, an open-source toolkit for dose calculation and optimization in intensity-modulated radiation therapy with photons, protons, and carbon ions.
Methods: matRad re-implements well-established algorithms for dose calculation and optimization in the numerical computing environment Matlab. This includes modules for multileaf collimator sequencing and direct aperture optimization for photons as well as modules for three-dimensional calculation and optimization of the relative biological effect of carbon ions. The toolkit features a graphical user interface including DICOM interface for treatment plan design and evaluation. All matRad modules can also be controlled using Matlab’s native scripting environment. Open source physical and biological base data for photon, proton, and carbon ion machines as well as patient data enable out-of-the-box treatment planning. For non Matlab users we maintain a standalone version; matRad’s core functionality is also compatible with the free Matlab clone Octave.
Results: matRad is available for download at www.matRad.org which also features a video tutorial and technical documentation. It is distributed for free under the GNU Public License 3. Using clinical base data, matRad’s dose calculation algorithms for photons, protons, and carbon ions are in excellent agreement with validated clinical systems (pass rates of 2%/2mm gamma-tests over 99.6%). Both dose calculation and optimization at clinical complexity take only a couple of minutes on a standard desktop computer. matRad is already used within an online master program and postgraduate training, where it enables interactive treatment planning tutorials in a classroom setting. Custom workflows (e.g. simulating patient shifts) can be easily realized by the students using matRad modules within Matlab’s interactive scripting functionalities.
Conclusion: matRad is an open toolbox for multi-modality radiation therapy treatment planning with demonstrated accuracy and efficiency. Together with the provided machine and patient base data, matRad is a ready-to-use environment for educational purposes in radiotherapy.
Funding Support, Disclosures, and Conflict of Interest: This work has been supported by the German Research Foundation, Grant No. BA 2279/3-1. Parts of this abstract are also currently under consideration for publication in Medical Physics (MS #16-1974).
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