Physics of Radiation Therapy

ANNOTATION

This book contains black-and-white illustrations.

SYNOPSIS

Khan (therapeutic radiology, emeritus, U. of Minnesota Medical School) covers basic physics, classical radiation therapy, and modern radiation therapy. For this edition all sections have been extensively updated, and new material has been added on topics such as 3-D conformal radiation therapy, IMRT, stereotactic radiation therapy, high dose rate brachytherapy, seed implants, and intravascular brachytherapy. A section of color plates is included. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

FROM THE CRITICS

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: James G. Douglas, MD, MS (University of Washington School Medical Center)Description: This is the third edition of a widely used textbook describing the physics principles underlying radiation therapy. The first and second editions were published in 1984 and 1994, respectively.Purpose: The primary intent is to describe the radiological physics specifically pertinent to therapy applications. The revised edition provides a much needed update of the latest technological advances in the field and the book clearly achieves its goal.Audience: It is written for a mixed audience including physicists, radiation oncologists, dosimetrists, and radiation therapists. A broad range of topics and levels of practical and theoretical detail is incorporated to hold the interests of its intended audience.Features: The publication covers the fundamentals of radiological physics and specific topics in radiation therapy. A new section in this edition discusses the recent advances such as 3-D conformal radiotherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, IMRT (intensity modulated radiotherapy), and brachytherapy. Chapter 8 has been modified to include new calibration procedures as outlined in AAPM (American Association of Physicists in Medicine) protocol, TG-51. The supplemental graphics, illustrations, and tables are excellent in assisting the reader to understand the physics concepts.Assessment: Previous versions of this book have been widely used in the field as a training text and reference for its intended audience. With the advent of better, yet more complex radiation treatment modalities, this third edition is needed as acomprehensive reference detailing treatment planning considerations, quality assurance, commissioning, and acceptance testing procedures. The book is well written and should be easily understood by clinicians, dosimetrists, and physicists. Acquisition of this book ensures the reader will have access to the most current information on radiation therapy physics.

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