Radiotherapy Physics In Practice

by Williams, J. R.; Thwaites, D. I.

• ISBN13: 9780199633159
• ISBN10: 0199633150
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1993-10-28
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

This is the first comprehensive, practical introduction to radiotherapy physics. It provides detailed descriptions of current methods and gives specific guidance in their own areas of expertise. Both sealed and unsealed source therapy are fully covered. Specific topics include selection of equipment and planning of installations, use of dosimetry protocols, dose calculation and treatment planning techniques. Medical physicists and radiographers will find the book an excellent guide to this important and expanding speciality.

Table of Contents

Introduction

The development of radiotherapy

Radiotherapeutic aims

Radiotherapy methods

Requirements for accuracy and precision

Quality assurance

The role of medical physics

References

Planning and acceptance testing of megavoltage therapy installations,

Introduction

Types of equipment

Equipment specification

Machine selection criteria

Treatment room and design

Acceptance testing

Summary and conclusions

References

Further reading

Absolute dose determination

Introduction

Specification of beam quality

Calibration of ionization chambers

Derivation of absorbed dose to water using calibrated ionization chambers

Practical application of protocols

Calibration of the dose monitor

Quality control of calibration

Accuracy of the absolute dose determination

Summary and conclusions

References

Relative dosimetry

Introduction

Dosimetry equipment

Dosimetry notebook

Photon measurements

Electron measurements

Summary

References

Additional reading

Quality control of megavoltage therapy units

Introduction

General methods and test materials

What should be tested

Test frequencies

Responsibilities

Reference data set and standard values

Tolerance and action levels

Instruction and documentation

Daily test

Weekly/monthly tests

Extended tests

Refernces

Further reading

Kilovoltage X-rays,

Introduction

Kilovoltage X-ray equipment

Specification of beam quality

Beam characteristics

Absorbed dose determination

Measurement of radiation distribution

Acceptance and quality control

References

Simulators and CT scanners,

Introduction

Definitions related to patient planning

Methods of deriving patient-specific data

Simulators

CT scanners for therapy planning

Specialized imaging procedures

Summary and conclusions

References

Treatment planning for external beam therapy

Introduction

General principles and planning techniques

Dose calculation within the patient

Optimization

CT in treatment planning

Computer planning

Standard treatment planning

Non-routine planning

Electron planning

Quality assurance

References

Brachytherapy

Introduction

Sealed radioactive sources

Sealed source dosimetry

Radiation protection and quality assurance

Afterloading systems

Dosimetry systems

Practical aspects of absorbed dose calculation

Radiobiological models

References

Additional reading

Treatment verfication and in v

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