Linear accelerator, multileaf collimator, IMRT, dose computation, clinical radiation dosimetry, QA

The student learns how an accurate tumor dose in the optimal irradiation configuration can be determined in radiotherapy. For this purpose, he becomes familiar with the necessary technological equipment in a contempory radiotherapy unit. The student learns also how a reliable quality assurance program can be worked out for an accurate dose administration in the radiotherapy treatment. This course is a part of the education program for medical radiation expert

Technology of medical accelerators for the production of the therapeutic beams. Detailed description of the treatment head with shaping of the beams with a multileaf collimator and beam intensity modulation.Overview of techniques and algorithms used for treatment planning of the patient starting from the patient specific anatomy by CT images. The treatment simulator.Special techniques used in modern radiotherapy: IMRT, stereotactic irradiation, total body irradiation, intra-operative radiotherapy.After loading systems for brachytherapy, endovascular brachytherapy.Procedures and specific instrumentation for quality assurance with respect to the dose calculation, irradiation beams, anatomical patient data. International protocols for QA. Methods for in vivo dosimetry.

Having successfully completed the courses Physics and Data analysis I: mathematical principles from the bachelor program biomedical sciences, or having acquired the relevant ending objectives by other means.

Acquired conceptions: working principles of linear accelerator, treatment simulator, multileaf collimator, photon and electron beam, conformal radiotherapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy, interaction of radiation with tissues, absorbed dose, PDD, TAR, detectors. Acquired insights: required dosimetric and geometric accuarcy, methodology for experimental determination of dose distributions in a phantom, radiation therapy contains many process steps, the quality of each step has to be assured. Acquired skills: dosimetric computations in external therapy and brachytherapy.

Syllabus (dutch, 15 Euro).

• Radiotherapy physics in practice ( J. Williams and D. Thwaites, Oxf. Univ. press, 1993).
• Practical guidelines for the implementation of quality system in radiotherapy (http://www.estro.be/Publications/booklets/Booklet4_practical.html).

The lecturer is available druing or in between luctures; guided tour of the Radiotherapy Department

Classroom lectures

Evaluation during examination period

During examination period: oral open-book exam, written preparation