- Summarizes the state of the art in the most relevant areas of medical physics and engineering applied to radiation oncology - Covers all relevant areas of the subject in detail, including 3D imaging and image processing, 3D treatment planning, modern treatment techniques, patient positioning, and aspects of verification and quality assurance - Conveys information in a readily understandable way that will appeal to professionals and students with a medical background as well as to newcomers to radiation oncology from the field of physics
This book serves as a practical guide for the use of carbon ions in cancer radiotherapy. On the basis of clinical experience with more than 7,000 patients with various types of tumors treated over a period of nearly 20 years at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences, step-by-step procedures and technological development of this modality are highlighted. The book is divided into two sections, the first covering the underlying principles of physics and biology, and the second section is a systematic review by tumor site, concentrating on the role of therapeutic techniques and the pitfalls in treatment planning. Readers will learn of the superior outcomes obtained with carbon-ion therapy for various types of tumors in terms of local control and toxicities. It is essential to understand that the carbon-ion beam is like a two-edged sword: unless it is used properly, it can increase the risk of severe injury to critical organs. In early series of dose-escalation studies, some patients experienced serious adverse effects such as skin ulcers, pneumonitis, intestinal ulcers, and bone necrosis, for which salvage surgery or hospitalization was required. To preclude such detrimental results, the adequacy of therapeutic techniques and dose fractionations was carefully examined in each case. In this way, significant improvements in treatment results have been achieved and major toxicities are no longer observed. With that knowledge, experts in relevant fields expand upon techniques for treatment delivery at each anatomical site, covering indications and optimal treatment planning. With its practical focus, this book will benefit radiation oncologists, medical physicists, medical dosimetrists, radiation therapists, and senior nurses whose work involves radiation therapy, as well as medical oncologists and others who are interested in radiation therapy.
The aim of this book is to provide a uniquely comprehensive source of information on the entire field of radiation therapy physics. The very significant advances in imaging, computational, and accelerator technologies receive full consideration, as do such topics as the dosimetry of radiolabeled antibodies and dose calculation models. The scope of the book and the expertise of the authors make it essential reading for interested physicians and physicists and for radiation dosimetrists.
Basic Clinical Radiobiology is a concise but comprehensive textbook setting out the essentials of the science and clinical application of radiobiology for those seeking accreditation in radiation oncology, clinical radiation physics, and radiation technology. Fully revised and updated to keep abreast of current developments in radiation biology and radiation oncology, this fifth edition continues to present in an interesting way the biological basis of radiation therapy, discussing the basic principles and significant developments that underlie the latest attempts to improve the radiotherapeutic management of cancer. This new edition is highly illustrated with attractive 2-colour presentation and now includes new chapters on stem cells, tissue response and the convergence of radiotherapy, radiobiology, and physics. It will be invaluable for FRCR (clinical oncology) and equivalent candidates, SpRs (and equivalent) in radiation oncology, practicing radiation oncologists and radiotherapists, as well as radiobiologists and radiotherapy physicists.
This publication covers all the aspects of the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of ion beams, including laboratory measurements of RBE and the important variables that influence it, dose related quantities and units, and approaches to the clinical use of the concept of RBE based on experimental findings, theoretical models, and previous clinical experience with fast neutrons and ions. This publication is the result of a joint initiative of the IAEA and ICRU (International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements). It is the only current extensive review of ion beam RBE, and it is expected to be a reference volume for existing and future centres employing ion beams for therapeutic use.
In recent years, interest in the management of anterior skull base tumors has been fostered by the introduction and subsequent rapid expansion of indications of transnasal endoscopic techniques. In parallel, extraordinary progress has been made in all the other disciplines which are involved in the complex process of managing anterior skull base tumors, leading to substantial improvements in diagnosis and treatment. The anterior skull base can be involved in a large variety of tumors of a varying nature and histology, which in the majority of cases originate from adjacent anatomic sites. In fact, primary lesions of the anterior skull base mainly include osteoma and other tumors originating from bone and cartilage. Tumors involving the anterior skull base have their origin prevalently in the sinonasal tract, but lesions developing on the intracranial site, such as meningiomas, may also extend caudally to encroach upon this area. All these lesions are rare, which means that the pertinent literature does not include prospective studies or treatment guidelines based on a high level of evidence. In view of the extreme histological variability of lesions involving the anterior skull base, much emphasis has been placed on addressing the different nuances of treatment in relation to histology, especially for malignant tumors. The chapters focusing on surgery provide divergent views on selection criteria for a specific surgical technique, which is the aim of this publication.
Experimental microdosimetry deals with the measurement of charged particle energy deposition in tissue equivalent volumes, ranging in size from nanometres to micrometres. Microdosimetry is employed to improve our understanding of the relationship between radiation energy deposition, the resulting biological effects, and the appropriate quantities to be used in characterizing and quantifying radiation quality. Although many reviews and contributions to the field have been published over the past fifty years, this new book is the first to provide a single, up to date, and easily accessible account of experimental microdosimetry. This book is designed to be used in medical, radiation, and health physics courses and by Master's and PhD students. In addition to serving as an introductory text to the field for graduate students, this book will also be of interest as a teaching and reference resource for graduate supervisors and established researchers. Drs. Lennart Lindborg and Anthony Waker have spent a life-time career in experimental microdosimetry research in academic, industrial and regulatory environments and have observed the development of the field from its early days as a recognized discipline; they bring to this book particular knowledge and experience in the design, construction, operation and use of tissue equivalent gas ionization counters and chambers.
Understand Quantitative Radiobiology from a Radiation Biophysics PerspectiveIn the field of radiobiology, the linear-quadratic (LQ) equation has become the standard for defining radiation-induced cell killing. Radiotherapy Treatment Planning: Linear-Quadratic Radiobiology describes tumor cell inactivation from a radiation physics perspective and of
Proton and Carbon Ion Therapy is an up-to-date guide to using proton and carbon ion therapy in modern cancer treatment. The book covers the physics and radiobiology basics of proton and ion beams, dosimetry methods and radiation measurements, and treatment delivery systems. It gives practical guidance on patient setup, target localization, and treatment planning for clinical proton and carbon ion therapy. The text also offers detailed reports on the treatment of pediatric cancers, lymphomas, and various other cancers. After an overview, the book focuses on the fundamental aspects of proton and carbon ion therapy equipment, including accelerators, gantries, and delivery systems. It then discusses dosimetry, biology, imaging, and treatment planning basics and provides clinical guidelines on the use of proton and carbon ion therapy for the treatment of specific cancers. Suitable for anyone involved with medical physics and radiation therapy, this book offers a balanced and critical assessment of state-of-the-art technologies, major challenges, and the future outlook of proton and carbon ion therapy. It presents a thorough introduction for those new to the field while providing a helpful, up-to-date reference for readers already using the therapy in clinical settings.
This publication provides guidance for designing and implementing radiotherapy programmes, taking into account clinical, medical physics, radiation protection and safety aspects. It reflects current requirements for radiotherapy infrastructure in settings with limited resources. It will be of use to professionals involved in the development, implementation and management of radiotherapy programmes
