Practical Radiotherapy Planning Fourth Edition

Summary:
Planning is a critical stage of radiotherapy. Careful consideration of the complex variables involved and critical assessment of the techniques available are fundamental to good and effective practice.

First published in 1985, Practical Radiotherapy Planning has, over three editions, established itself as the popular choice for the trainee raditation oncologist and radiographer, providing the 'nuts and bolts' of planning in a practical and accessible manner.

This fourth edition encompasses a wealth of new material, reflecting the radical change in the practice of radiotherapy in recent years. The information contained within the introductory chapters has been expanded and brought up to date, and a new chapter on patient management has been added. CT stimulators, MLC shieldings and dose profiles, principles of IMRT, and use of MRI, PET and ultrasound are all included, amongst other new developments in this field.

The aim of the book remains unchanged. Complexity of treatment planning has increased greatly, but the fourth edition continues to emphasise underlying principles of treatment that can be applied for conventional, conformal and novel treatments, taking into account advances in imaging and treatment delivery.

• A complete conceptual revision of this unique book, rather than a minor update
• Improved and updated photography to take account for developments in imaging techniques
• Many new line diagrams, including more emphasis on 3D imaging, with improved labelling to help less experienced readers
• Introduction of key clinical trials that have changed practice - important for the FRCR Part 2 examination
• Provides best practice for long-standing procedures, and gives guidelines for basic, safe practice for newer, less established concepts.

Table of Contents:
Contents:
What you need to know before planning radiotherapy treatment.
Histopathology
Tumour stage
Patient Performance Status
Prognostic Factors
Role of other treatments
Systems for recording outcomes
Clinical anatomy
Underlying principles of radiotherapy planning:
Volume definition (GTV, CTV)
Reducing uncertainty in targeting the tumour (immobilisation, fiducial markers, predicting organ motion, PTV margin definition, image-guided and adaptive radiotherapy)
Tumour and normal organ data acquisition (protocols for CT, MRI, PET and image registration)
Plan production and evaluation
3D-Conformal and intensity modulated planning concepts
Forward and inverse planning
DVH and NTCP and TCP
Dose prescription
3D and 4D Treatment delivery
Image guided radiotherapy
Gating, ABC, surface registration
Adaptive radiotherapy
Methods to verify that the planned treatment has been achieved.
Portal Imaging
KV and MV Imaging
Portal dosimetry
Radiobiological principles (to be revised)
Management of patients during radiotherapy
Protocols for management of side effects
Scoring of acute effects
Radiographer- led on treatment clinics
Head and Neck – General Considerations
Classification of cervical lymph nodes
Choice of 3D conformal therapy versus IMRT for:
Primary tumour
Cervical lymph nodes
Sparing normal tissues
Matching Fields
Multi modality treatment regimes (surgery, chemotherapy, brachytherapy)
Fractionation schedules
Larynx
Hypopharynx
Nasopharynx
Oropharynx
Oral cavity
Ear
Parotid
Maxillary antrum
Orbit
Skin and lip
Thyroid
Bronchus
Oesophagus
Breast
Central nervous system
Lymphomas and spleen
Pancreas
Rectum
Anus
Prostate
Bladder
Testis
Penis
Pelvis
Cervix
Corpus
Vagina
Vulva
Sarcoma
Paediatric tumours
Systemic irradiation
Emergency irradiation
Each anatomical site chapter (6-37) will cover:
Choice of patients for radiotherapy (stage, pathology, risk factors, performance status)
Sequencing of multi modality therapy
Clinical and radiological anatomy and assessment of primary disease
3D data acquisition (immobilisation, imaging protocols, image registration)
Target volume definition (GTV, CTV, PTV, PRV)
Dose plan production
Dose prescription
Treatment delivery
Verification

About the Author(s):
Ann Barrett, Professor Emeritus of Oncology, University of East Anglia, Norwich
Jane Dobbs Consultant Emeritus in Clinical Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Stephen Morris, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust
Tom Roques, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Reviews: