applied sciences Review Dose Calculation Algorithms for External Radiation Therapy: An Overview for Practitioners Fortuna De Martino 1, Stefania Clemente 2, Christian Graeff 3, Giuseppe Palma 4,*,† and Laura Cella 4,*,† 1 Post Graduate School in Medical Physics, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
[email protected] 2 Unit of Medical Physics and Radioprotection, A.O.U Policlinico Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy;
[email protected] 3 Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany;
[email protected] 4 Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging, National Research Council (CNR), 80145 Naples, Italy * Correspondence:
[email protected] (G.P.);
[email protected] (L.C.) † These authors share senior authorship. Featured Application: Radiation therapy treatment planning. Abstract: Radiation therapy (RT) is a constantly evolving therapeutic technique; improvements are continuously being introduced for both methodological and practical aspects. Among the features that have undergone a huge evolution in recent decades, dose calculation algorithms are still rapidly changing. This process is propelled by the awareness that the agreement between the delivered and calculated doses is of paramount relevance in RT, since it could largely affect clinical outcomes. The Citation: De Martino, F.; Clemente, aim of this work is to provide an overall picture of the main dose calculation algorithms currently S.; Graeff, C.; Palma, G.; Cella, L. used in RT, summarizing their underlying physical models and mathematical bases, and highlighting Dose Calculation Algorithms for their strengths and weaknesses, referring to the most recent studies on algorithm comparisons. External Radiation Therapy: An This handy guide is meant to provide a clear and concise overview of the topic, which will prove Overview for Practitioners.