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Radiotherapy

Unit code: PCN212
Contact hours: 4 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs

This unit provides an overview of the application of physics to radiotherapy including theoretical and practical aspects of the major topics in radiotherapy physics.

Availability
Semester Available
2013 Semester 2 Yes

Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Radiotherapy is historically the first, and still one of the most important, areas of employment of medical physicists. Familiarity with the theory and practice of radiotherapy physics would be a significant asset to an applicant for such a position, enabling them to rapidly become a productive member of a radiotherapy physics group. It would also be useful background knowledge in other areas of potential employment such as radiation health physics.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to provide students with a general basic understanding of radiotherapy physics, suitable as a background for entry into a training program in any area of medical physics, including radiotherapy.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Describe the basic principles underlying radiotherapy methods and radiotherapy equipment and have an understanding of the basic QC for equipment in radiotherapy;
2. Understand the characteristics and dosimetry of clinical radiotherapy beams including measurement techniques;
3. Understand basic treatment planning in radiotherapy;
4. Recognise safety aspects of imaging using ionising and non-ionising radiation;
5. Understand the use of sealed and unsealed sources in radiotherapy.

Content

  • Malignant disease and the role of radiotherapy
  • Radiotherapy equipment:
    - X-ray units
    - Cobalt-60 units
    - Linear accelerators
    - Neutron generators and particle accelerators
  • Beam and dose control.
  • Beam Modifiers.
  • Radiation Interactions with the patient.
  • Dosimetry theory and methods in radiotherapy.
  • Data acquisition for treatment planning.
  • Characteristics of clinical beams.
  • Imaging in radiotherapy.
  • Target volume localisation: equipment and methods.
  • Principles of treatment planning.
  • Treatment planning systems and radiation dose algorithms.
  • Treatment verification.
  • Use of sealed radioactive sources in radiotherapy.
  • Therapeutic uses of unsealed sources.
  • Quality control systems and information systems.
  • Radiation protection specific to radiotherapy.

    Approaches to Teaching and Learning

    This unit combines lectures and practical components carried out at a local hospital. The students will also be expected to carry out independent study.

    Assessment

    You must achieve a satisfactory result in each item of assessment in order to be awarded a passing grade for this unit. To have a mark for an assessable item reviewed, your first approach should be to the relevant teaching staff member, then to the unit coordinator or course coordinator.Feedback will be made available on your progress.

    Assessment name: Laboratory/Practical
    Description: (Summative and Formative). Six practical sessions will be organised at a local Brisbane hospital radiation oncology department. The students will carry out basic physics tasks, take the data and write the results up in the form of a report that will be assessed.

    1. Absolute dose calibration: Photons.
    2. Absolute dose calibration: Electrons.
    3. Relative dosimetry quality assurance measurements for photons and electrons.
    4. Kilo-voltage unit calibration and half-value layer measurement.
    5. Independent monitor unit check calculation practical.
    6. 3D treatment planning system practical.
    Relates to objectives: 1,2 and 3.
    Weight: 30%
    Internal or external: Internal
    Group or individual: Individual
    Due date: Ongoing

    Assessment name: Literature Review
    Description: This written assignment will require the student to carry out a short literature review of a current hot topic in clinical radiotherapy.
    Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
    Weight: 10%
    Internal or external: Internal
    Group or individual: Individual
    Due date: See Blackboard Site

    Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
    Description: (Summative). End of semester written theory examination.
    Relates to objectives: 1,2,3,4 and 5.
    Weight: 60%
    Internal or external: Internal
    Group or individual: Individual
    Due date: Exam Period

    Academic Honesty

    QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

    A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

    Resource materials

    Texts:
    1. Williams JR & Thwaites DI (2004) Radiotherapy Physics, New York: Oxford University Press.
    2. Khan F.M. (2003) The Physics of Radiation Therapy, 3rd Edition, Philadelphia. Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
    3. Jacob Van Dyk (1999) The Modern Technology of Radiation Oncology, Madison, Medical Physics Publishing.
    4. Johns & Cunningham (1983) The Physics of Radiology, 5th edition, Thomas Books.
    5. Klevenhagen (1985) Physics of Electron Beam Therapy (Medical Physics Handbook 13).

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    Risk assessment statement

    There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

    Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

    Last modified: 06-Jun-2012