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Radiotherapy Monte Carlo simulation using cloud computing technology

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Abstract

Cloud computing allows for vast computational resources to be leveraged quickly and easily in bursts as and when required. Here we describe a technique that allows for Monte Carlo radiotherapy dose calculations to be performed using GEANT4 and executed in the cloud, with relative simulation cost and completion time evaluated as a function of machine count. As expected, simulation completion time decreases as 1/n for n parallel machines, and relative simulation cost is found to be optimal where n is a factor of the total simulation time in hours. Using the technique, we demonstrate the potential usefulness of cloud computing as a solution for rapid Monte Carlo simulation for radiotherapy dose calculation without the need for dedicated local computer hardware as a proof of principal.

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Acknowledgements

This work is funded by the Queensland Cancer Physics Collaborative, and Cancer Australia (Department of Health and Ageing) Research Grant 614217.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest, and have no affiliation with Amazon Web Services.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer Care Services, Royal Brisbane and Womens Hospital, Herston, QLD, 4029, Australia

    C. M. Poole

  2. Discipline of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, and the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, Australia

    C. M. Poole, I. Cornelius, J. V. Trapp & C. M. Langton

Authors
  1. C. M. Poole
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  2. I. Cornelius
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  3. J. V. Trapp
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  4. C. M. Langton
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. M. Poole.

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Poole, C.M., Cornelius, I., Trapp, J.V. et al. Radiotherapy Monte Carlo simulation using cloud computing technology. Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 35, 497–502 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13246-012-0167-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13246-012-0167-8

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