Dosimetric Assessment of Absorbed Radiation Energy and Distribution of Various Types of Radiation in the Human Body
Keywords:
Radiation dosimetry, absorbed dose, equivalent dose, effective dose, photon radiationAbstract
Radiation dosimetry is a fundamental discipline in radiation medicine, radiological protection,
nuclear medicine, and radiation oncology. It provides quantitative information regarding the amount
of energy deposited by ionizing radiation in biological tissues and organs. Accurate dosimetric
assessment is essential for ensuring the effectiveness of radiation therapy while minimizing harmful
effects on normal tissues. The distribution of radiation energy within the human body is influenced
by multiple factors, including radiation type, energy, tissue composition, anatomical characteristics,
and exposure geometry. Different forms of ionizing radiation, such as photons, electrons, protons,
heavy ions, alpha particles, and beta particles, exhibit distinct physical and biological properties that
determine their penetration depth, energy deposition patterns, and biological effectiveness. Modern
dosimetry combines advanced detector technologies, computational modeling, treatment planning
systems, and quality assurance protocols to achieve precise dose estimation and optimization.
Furthermore, understanding the distribution of various radiation types within the human body is
crucial for clinical applications ranging from diagnostic imaging to cancer treatment and radiation
protection. This review examines the principles of dosimetric assessment of absorbed radiation
energy and analyzes the distribution characteristics of different radiation types in the human body.
Emphasis is placed on fundamental dosimetric concepts, radiation interactions with tissues,
methods of dose measurement, and the clinical significance of dose distribution in modern medical
practice.
References
1. Khan FM, Gibbons JP. Khan's The Physics of Radiation Therapy. 6th ed. Philadelphia:
Wolters Kluwer; 2024.
2. Hall EJ, Giaccia AJ. Radiobiology for the Radiologist. 9th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins; 2023.
3. Podgorsak EB. Radiation Oncology Physics: A Handbook for Teachers and Students.
Vienna: IAEA; 2005.
4. ICRP. The 2007 Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological
Protection. ICRP Publication 103. Ann ICRP. 2007;37(2–4):1–332.
5. Paganetti H. Proton Therapy Physics. 2nd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press; 2018.
6. Baskar R, Lee KA, Yeo R, Yeoh KW. Cancer and radiation therapy: current advances and
future directions. Int J Med Sci. 2012;9(3):193–199.
7. Bentzen SM, Constine LS, Deasy JO, et al. Quantitative analyses of normal tissue effects in
the clinic (QUANTEC). Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2010;76(3 Suppl):S1–S160.
8. Verhaegen F, Seuntjens J. Monte Carlo modelling of external radiotherapy photon beams.
Phys Med Biol. 2003;48:R107–R164.
9. Rogers DWO. Fifty years of Monte Carlo simulations for medical physics. Phys Med Biol.
2006;51:R287–R301.
10. Otto K. Volumetric modulated arc therapy: IMRT in a single gantry arc. Med Phys.
2008;35(1):310–317.
11. Bortfeld T. IMRT: A review and preview. Phys Med Biol. 2006;51:R363–R379.
12. Durante M, Loeffler JS. Charged particles in radiation oncology. Nat Rev Clin Oncol.
2010;7(1):37–43.
13. Bolch WE, Eckerman KF, Sgouros G, Thomas SR. MIRD Pamphlet No. 21: A generalized
schema for radiopharmaceutical dosimetry. J Nucl Med. 2009;50(3):477–484.
14. International Atomic Energy Agency. Accuracy Requirements and Uncertainties in
Radiotherapy. Vienna: IAEA; 2016.
15. International Atomic Energy Agency. Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources:
International Basic Safety Standards. Vienna: IAEA; 2014
