Bruce Faddegon

Associate Professor in Residence, Radiation Oncology Affiliate, UCB/UCSF Graduate Group in Bioengineering 1600 Divisadero, H1008 mailcode: Box 1708 (415) 353-7195 fax: (415) 353-9883 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Membership effective July 2002

Research Interests

My primary research area is improving precision in radiotherapy through the study of beam details of clinical electron and x-ray beams used in radiotherapy and dose calculation, both emphasizing Monte Carlo methods for radiation transport.

Research Summary

1) Accurate Dose Calculation.
Goal: clinical implementation of Monte Carlo based treatment planning at UCSF.
a) I have led a multidisciplinary team in the design and clinical implementation of a Monte Carlo based system for planning electron treatments. Current work includes commissioning and clinical application of Peregrine, integration of Monte Carlo dose calculation into clinical treatment planning system(s), consideration of the use of phase-space evolution, and commissioning of Monte Carlo planning for UCSF electron and x-ray beams. A major focus will be site-specific clinical studies.
b) I have studied simple, accurate beam models for electrons and x-rays to improve the Monte Carlo commissioning procedure. Current work includes extending the point source beam model for electrons to include simple spatial and angular distributions of fluence, development of a similar model for x-rays, and benchmarking Monte Carlo codes for back-angle bremsstrahlung.
2) Precision Electron Therapy
I am working towards clinical implementation of energy modulated radiotherapy (EMRT) at UCSF. Initial Monte Carlo treatment planning capabilities were developed and made available at UCSF with full commissioning of Primus electron beams. Current work includes treatment head design, development of an MLC for combined modality intensity modulated radiotherapy, and studies in inverse planning with Monte Carlo dose calculation with site-specific comparisons to conventional radiotherapy.
3) Precision External Beam Radiotherapy with X-rays
I have both research and clinical interests in intensity modulated radiotherapy. Current work includes continuation of my work on target and flattener design for improved portal imaging contrast and improved dose distributions.

Selected Publications

1. BEAM: A Monte Carlo code to simulate radiotherapy treatment units. Med. Phys. 22(5):503 (1995, '); D. W. O. Rogers, B.A. Faddegon, G. X. Ding, C.-M. Ma, J. We, and T. R. Mackie.

2. Clinical considerations of Monte Carlo for electron radiotherapy treatment planning. Rad. Phys. and Chem. 53(3):217-227 (1998, '); B.A. Faddegon, J. Balogh, R. Mackenzie, and D. Scora.

3. Megavoltage imaging with low Z targets: Implementation and characterization of an investigational system. Med. Phys. 25(10): 1910-1918 (1998, '); O. Z. Ostapiak, P. F. O'Brien, B.A. Faddegon.

4. Electron spectra derived from depth dose distributions. Med. Phys. 27(3):514-526 (2000, '); B.A. Faddegon, I. Blevis.

5. Description and dosimetric verification of the PEREGRINE Monte Carlo dose calculation system for photon beams incident on a water phantom. Med. Phys. 28(7):1322-1337, 2001; C.L. Hartmann-Siantar, R.S. Walling, T.P. Daly, B. Faddegon, N. Albright, P. Bergstrom, A.F. Bielajew, C. Chuang, D. Garrett, R.K.House, D. Knapp, D.J. Wieczorek and L.J. Verhey.