Practical Radiotherapy Planning

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.

What you need to know before planning radiotherapy treatmentTumour 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 D-Conformal and Intensity Modulated Planning Concepts Forward and Inverse Planning DVH and NTCP and TCP Dose Prescription D and D Treatment Delivery Image guided radiotherapy Gating, ABC, surface registration Adaptive radiotherapy Methods to Verify That the Planned Treatment Has Been AchievedPortal Imaging KV and MV Imaging Portal dosimetry Radiobiological PrinciplesManagement of Patients During Radiotherapy Protocols for Management of Side Effects Scoring of Acute Effects Radiographer- Led on Treatment Clinics Head and Neck â€" General Considerations Classification of Cervical Lymph Nodes Choice of D 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 (-) 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 Data acquisition (immobilisation, imaging protocols, image registration) Target volume definition (GTV, CTV, PTV, PRV) Dose plan production Dose prescription Treatment delivery Verification

Ann Barrett, Professor Emeritus of Oncology, University of East Anglia, NorwichJane Dobbs Consultant Emeritus in Clinical Oncology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation TrustStephen Morris, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation TrustTom Roques, Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust