LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students should be able to display knowledge and comprehension of the basic science topics underpinning all aspects of radiotherapy preparation and delivery and patient support. Radiotherapy physics is a core ‘link’ of the overall ‘chain’ of radiotherapy practice. Students should be familiar with radiotherapy physics (related to photon, electron and proton therapy) for Tele- and Brachy-therapy, radiotherapy dosimetry and Quality Assurance concepts. They should also be familiar with the standard as long with the modern and often complex radiotherapy techniques.
SYLLABUS
THEORY
1. Ionizing radiation physics. Photons and charged particles interaction with matter. Dosimetric quantities
2. Dosimeteres in radiation oncology. Ion chambers. Film dosimetry.Absolute and relative dosimetry in radiation oncology.
3. Linear Accelerators. Photon and Electron beams
4. Inverse square law, Percentage Depth Dose, Beam profiles, Output Factors,
Calibration Factor, Wedge Factor
5. Gross Tumor Volume, Clinical Target Volume, Planning Target Volume
6. Treatment Planning Systems. Photon, Electron, Proton beam treatment planning principles
7. Tumor Control Probability, Normal Tissue Complication Probability, Fractionation
8. Radiotherapy techniques. Basic principles. 3D-CRT, IMRT, VMAT, SRS/SRT
9. Image Guided Radiotherapy and Surface Guided Radiotherapy principles
10. Proton Therapy – Basic physics and principles
11. Brachytherapy – Basic physics principles (Superficial, Interstitial, Intracavitary, HDR brachytherapy, Permanent implants for prostate brachytherapy)
12. Quality Assurance in Radiotherapy
13. Modern radiotherapy techniques – Basic principles (MR-LINAC RT, Single isocentric
multi-focal SRS, FLASH radiotherapy)
LABORATORY
1. Dicom and Dicom-RT files and viewers. RadiAnt and SlicerRT
2. Treatment Planning Systems – basic characteristics
3. Isodose lines – Dose Volume Histograms
4. 3D-CRT Breast Treatment Plans
5. 3D-CRT Prostate Treatment Plans
6. 3D-CRT Lung Treatment Plans
7. 3D-CRT Brain Treatment Plans