1st Edition
Tutorials in Radiotherapy Physics Advanced Topics with Problems and Solutions
The Topics Every Medical Physicist Should Know
Tutorials in Radiotherapy Physics: Advanced Topics with Problems and Solutions covers selected advanced topics that are not thoroughly discussed in any of the standard medical physics texts. The book brings together material from a large variety of sources, avoiding the need for you to search through and digest the vast research literature. The topics are mathematically developed from first principles using consistent notation.
Clear Derivations and In-Depth Explanations
The book offers insight into the physics of electron acceleration in linear accelerators and presents an introduction to the study of proton therapy. It then describes the predominant method of clinical photon dose computation: convolution and superposition dose calculation algorithms. It also discusses the Boltzmann transport equation, a potentially fast and accurate method of dose calculation that is an alternative to the Monte Carlo method. This discussion considers Fermi–Eyges theory, which is widely used for electron dose calculations. The book concludes with a step-by-step mathematical development of tumor control and normal tissue complication probability models. Each chapter includes problems with solutions given in the back of the book.
Prepares You to Explore Cutting-Edge Research
This guide provides you with the foundation to read review articles on the topics. It can be used for self-study, in graduate medical physics and physics residency programs, or in vendor training for linacs and treatment planning systems.
The Physics of Electron Acceleration in Medical Linacs
Introduction
Maxwell’s Equations
Cylindrical Waveguides
Traveling Wave Accelerators I
Cavity Oscillations
Energy
Traveling Wave Accelerators II
Standing Wave Accelerators
Pulsed Operation and Waveforms
Frequency Stability and Fabrication of Waveguide Structures
Changing Beam Energy
Comparison between TW and SW Linacs
X-Band Linacs
Proton Therapy Physics: Protons for Pedestrians
Introduction
Brief History
Interaction of Protons with Matter
Absorbed Dose and the Bragg Peak
A Few Words about Radiobiology
Circular Charged Particle Orbits and Stability
Proton Therapy Accelerators
Beam Transport and Gantries
Lateral and Axial Beam Spreading
Beam Calibration
Dose Calculation Algorithms
Inhomogeneities
Dose Distributions
Radiation Shielding
New Developments
Summary
Convolution/Superposition Dose Computation Algorithms
Introduction
Monoenergetic Beams, Homogeneous Medium
Convolution Integrals
Polyenergetic Beams, Homogeneous Medium
Incident Energy Fluence, Beam Modeling, and Primary Photon Transport
Point Dose Kernels
Analytical Derivation of a Point Kernel for Singly Scattered Photons
Heterogeneities
Pencil Beams
Patient Geometry
Collapsed Cone Convolution
Calculation of Monitor Units
Dose Calculation Speed
Pinnacle Treatment Planning System
Conclusion
Deterministic Radiation Transport: A Rival to Monte Carlo Methods
Introduction
Absorbed Dose, Kerma, and Fluence
Differential Fluence
Calculation of Dose from Fundamental Radiometric Quantities
Transport Equation
Primary Radiation Consisting of Charged Particles
CSDA Approximation
Indirectly Ionizing Radiation
Efficacy of BTE-Based Dose Calculations
Fermi–Eyges Theory and Electron Pencil Beam Dose Calculations
Conclusion
Tumor Control and Normal Tissue Complication Probability Models in Radiation Therapy
Introduction
Some Elements of Probability Theory
DVHs
Normal Tissue Complication Probability
Tumor Control Probability
Probability of Uncomplicated Control
Conclusions/Summary
Problems, Questions, Symbols, References, and Endnotes appear at the end of each chapter.
Biography
Patrick N. McDermott, PhD, is the director of physics education at Beaumont Health and an adjunct associate professor at Oakland University. He was previously an associate professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Wayne State University and a physicist at the Karmanos Cancer Institute. He is a fellow of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine and a recipient of numerous teaching awards. He earned a PhD in physics and astronomy from the University of Rochester and an MS in radiological physics from Wayne State University. He is board certified in radiation oncology physics by the American Board of Medical Physics.
"The application of radiation physics to medicine is an expanding multidisciplinary field based on knowledge, tools and techniques derived from nuclear and particle physics. This book will therefore appeal not only to curious medical physicists and scientists active in the fi eld, but also to physicists in general who – as the author comments – ‘like understanding’."
—CERN Courier (Jan/Feb 2017)
