Discipline: Mathematics and Statistics
Subcategory: Cancer Research
Session: 2
Room: Exhibit Hall A
Ashley Alfred - Southern University A&M College
Co-Author(s): Dr. Patrick Mensah, Southern University Agricultural and Mechanical College, Baton Rouge, LA.
Proton therapy (PT) is a type of radiation therapy that uses protons rather than x-rays to treat cancer. A synchrotron or cyclotron machine speeds up protons creating high energy that make the protons reach a certain depth in the body to deliver the set amount of radiation dose in a tumor. As opposed to x-rays, proton therapy results in less damage to healthy tissues nearby the tumor. Proton therapy treatment is more expensive, and sometimes a less effective treatment in certain cancers, but more effective in others. The goal of this research is to look at how we can improve proton therapy treatment by solving a partial differential equation (PDE) to predict effect of PT on tissue temperature. We use the Pennes bioheat equation, a PDE for tissue temperature, and look at possible boundary conditions, such as, the amount of energy from proton therapy, the diameter of the source of energy, and the effects of the dose calculation on tissue temperature profiles. Numerical solutions will be used to solve the PDE with applied boundary conditions. Computational results include the temperature contour of the tumor and surrounding tissue. This study is used to deduce the potential inflammation or damages and efficacy of the PT treatment compared to using X-rays to treat cancer tumors.
Funder Acknowledgement(s): This research is funded by the Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST).
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Patrick Mensah, PATRICK_MENSAH@subr.edu
Role: I am doing all parts of this research under the guidance of my mentor.