Reviewer: Jennifer Smilowitz, Ph.D.(University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health)
Description: This is the sixth edition of Dr. Khan's seminal textbook for clinic-based medical physics education. It is very similar to the most recent edition published in 2014 and still includes access to the very useful online text and figures. It covers a broad knowledge base with limited depth on modern and advanced topics. It starts with an introduction to the basic principles of radiation physics, followed by sections on classical and modern radiation therapy (RT).
Purpose: The sixth edition maintains the overall approach of Dr. Khan's original text: explaining introductory concepts and providing references to more advanced topics as needed. In this current edition, Dr. Gibbons has added some welcome revisions to each chapter to address recent technological advances. Dr. Gibbons is a credible authority and expert in clinical RT physics and is well suited for the revision.
Audience: In keeping with Dr. Khan's original intent, the book is written for a mixed audience with a range of expertise and backgrounds, including radiation therapists, dosimetrists, medical physics graduate students, and radiation oncology residents. The book is a solid reference and textbook for all the stated learners; however, the most recent editions of this book do not present newer technology at the level of the basic physics and classic RT sections. Therefore, the sixth edition (like the last few editions) is still considered an introductory text for graduate medical physics students.
Features: Part I does a nice job of covering the basics needed to understand the physics of RT, and since the basic physics have not changed, this section is relatively unchanged. The basics of photon generation chapter remains useful, but it would be appropriate to include more detail on proton beam generation in this section analogous to photon beam production, as opposed to its inclusion in chapter 27. The classical RT section is also relatively unchanged and provides an in-depth focus of basic dosimetry and calibration with updates including flattening filter-free (FFF) beams, AAPM TG-51 addendum, and TG-71. The model-based sections have been briefly updated to include a paragraph about linear Boltzmann transport equation formulation. New delivery techniques, such as optical surface imaging, magnetic resonance (MR)-guided RT, and deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) are included. In addition, risk analysis methods in RT, presented via failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) in accordance with the AAPM TG-100, and a short new chapter on knowledge-based planning are added to this new edition.
Assessment: This is a well written, albeit relatively minor update to a seminal textbook. Subsequent revisions could be more dramatic. Details of the older modalities can be moved to referenced topics in lieu of a deeper dive into the physics, applications and algorithms of standard of care, and state-of-the-art RT. However, given its breadth, intention to appeal to many learners, and excellent historical review of the classical RT, this revision is still a useful, easy-to-read-and-navigate introductory RT textbook.
