The Physics Of Three Dimensional Radiation Therapy

The Physics of Three Dimensional Radiation Therapy presents a broad study of the use of three-dimensional techniques in radiation therapy. These techniques are used to specify the target volume precisely and deliver radiation with precision to minimize damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The book discusses multimodality computed tomography, complex treatment planning software, advanced collimation techniques, proton radiotherapy, megavoltage imaging, and stereotactic radiosurgery. A review of the literature, numerous questions, and many illustrations make this book suitable for teaching a course. The themes covered in this book are developed and expanded in Webb's The Physics of Conformal Radiotherapy and the two may be used together or in successive semesters for teaching purposes.

This book will provide a thorough overview of conformal therapy techniques. It develops the 3-D techniques in radiation therapy covered in the authors previous book, The Physics of Three Dimensional Radiation Therapy, and includes substantial new material. Conformal therapy is of increasing importance in radiation oncology, and important new advances have been made since The Physics of Three Dimensional Radiation Therapy was published in 1993. The subject area continues to advance rapidly, and the author has paid particular attention both to ensuring that up to date information on 3D treatment planning, optimisation, photon multileaf collimation and proton therapy is included, as well as introducing the more recently developed topics of transit dosimetry, intensity-modulated therapy techniques and biological modelling (identified as of great current interest by the referees). The physics underlying the techniques is clearly set out and the comprehensive coverage of the book as a whole will support its use as a course text.

Radiation therapy is in the process of continual change, fueled by advances in computer technology, but also aided by the contributions of several disciplines such as physics, mathematics, radiological diagnostics, neurosurgery, and mechanical and electrical engineering. Based on the 3D imaging techniques CT and MRI, a complete change from the 2D consideration of the radiotherapy problem has taken place, leading to 3D treatment planning and to completely new treatment delivery systems. A 3D approach allows for a dramatic rethinking of the following central therapy issues: positioning, targeting, and dose and risk calculation. Major advances have been made in recent years in conformal or stereotactic techniques, in dosimetry, the target volume concept as well as clinical studies. The advances are reflected in the papers collected here from the international symposium '3D Radiation Treatment: Technological Innovations and Clinical Results' held in Munich in March 1999. The reports present the newest technical developments and clinical applications. New conformal and stereotactic technologies are discussed. Clinical results are presented in the treatment of lung cancer, prostate cancer, and brain tumors. The role of growth factors and cytokines in the pathogenesis of radiation injury is examined as are mechanisms in the development of normal tissue damage and their significance for understanding tolerated radiation dose. Included are reports on endovascular brachytherapy and new tools of 3D brachytherapy. This timely book will be of particular interest to radiation oncologists and related clinical practitioners, biologists and physicists.

The Physics of Conformal Radiotherapy: Advances in Technology provides a thorough overview of conformal radiotherapy and biological modeling, focusing on the underlying physics and methodology of three-dimensional techniques in radiation therapy. This carefully written, authoritative account evaluates three-dimensional treatment planning, optimization, photon multileaf collimation, proton therapy, transit dosimetry, intensity-modulation techniques, and biological modeling. It is an invaluable teaching guide and reference for all medical physicists and radiation oncologists/therapists that use conformal radiotherapy.

Provides a complete overview of the principles, hardware, measurement methods, and clinical applications of three-dimensional dosimetry. Explains basic concepts with emphasis on 3D dose measurements and validation of 3D dose calculations as a key application of 3D dosimetry. Discusses accuracy requirements for 3D dosimetry in advanced radiotherapy as well as important topics such as audits, quality assurance, and testing. Presents state of the art detector and point detector instruments and systems, gel dosimetry, and electronic portal imaging device dosimetry. Addresses the main measurement approaches, from small-field dosimetry to 4D dosimetry, Monte Carlo techniques, and methods for quantifying differences in 3D dose distributions.

Radiation therapy is in the process of continual change, fueled by advances in computer technology, but also aided by the contributions of several disciplines such as physics, mathematics, radiological diagnostics, neurosurgery, and mechanical and electrical engineering. Based on the 3D imaging techniques CT and MRI, a complete change from the 2D consideration of the radiotherapy problem has taken place, leading to 3D treatment planning and to completely new treatment delivery systems. A 3D approach allows for a dramatic rethinking of the following central therapy issues: positioning, targeting, and dose and risk calculation. Major advances have been made in recent years in conformal or stereotactic techniques, in dosimetry, the target volume concept as well as clinical studies. The advances are reflected in the papers collected here from the international symposium '3D Radiation Treatment: Technological Innovations and Clinical Results' held in Munich in March 1999. The reports present the newest technical developments and clinical applications. New conformal and stereotactic technologies are discussed. Clinical results are presented in the treatment of lung cancer, prostate cancer, and brain tumors. The role of growth factors and cytokines in the pathogenesis of radiation injury is examined as are mechanisms in the development of normal tissue damage and their significance for understanding tolerated radiation dose. Included are reports on endovascular brachytherapy and new tools of 3D brachytherapy. This timely book will be of particular interest to radiation oncologists and related clinical practitioners, biologists and physicists.

Radiation therapy is in the process of continual change, fueled by advances in computer technology, but also aided by the contributions of several disciplines such as physics, mathematics, radiological diagnostics, neurosurgery, and mechanical and electrical engineering. Based on the 3D imaging techniques CT and MRI, a complete change from the 2D consideration of the radiotherapy problem has taken place, leading to 3D treatment planning and to completely new treatment delivery systems. A 3D approach allows for a dramatic rethinking of the following central therapy issues: positioning, targeting, and dose and risk calculation. Major advances have been made in recent years in conformal or stereotactic techniques, in dosimetry, the target volume concept as well as clinical studies. The advances are reflected in the papers collected here from the international symposium '3D Radiation Treatment: Technological Innovations and Clinical Results' held in Munich in March 1999. The reports present the newest technical developments and clinical applications. New conformal and stereotactic technologies are discussed. Clinical results are presented in the treatment of lung cancer, prostate cancer, and brain tumors. The role of growth factors and cytokines in the pathogenesis of radiation injury is examined as are mechanisms in the development of normal tissue damage and their significance for understanding tolerated radiation dose. Included are reports on endovascular brachytherapy and new tools of 3D brachytherapy. This timely book will be of particular interest to radiation oncologists and related clinical practitioners, biologists and physicists. ℗℗