Problems and Solutions in Medical Physics: Radiotherapy Physics

by Kwan-Hoong Ng, Robin Hill, Ngie Min Ung

Overview

The third in a three-volume set exploring Problems and Solutions in Medical Physics, this volume explores common questions and their solutions in Radiotherapy. This invaluable study guide should be used in conjunction with other key textbooks in the field to provide additional learning opportunities. One hundred and forty-four solved problems are provided in ten chapters on basic physics topics, including External Beam Therapy Equipment, Photon Beam Physics, Radiation Dosimetry, Treatment Planning for External Beam Radiotherapy, and External Beam Commissioning and Quality Assurance. Each chapter provides examples, notes, and references for further reading to enhance understanding.

Features:

• Consolidates concepts and assists in the understanding and applications of theoretical concepts in medical physics
• Assists lecturers and instructors in setting assignments and tests
• Suitable as a revision tool for postgraduate students sitting medical physics, radiation oncology, and radiology science examinations

Kwan Hoong Ng, PhD, is Emeritus Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia, and a Fellow of the IOMP and IUPESM.

Ngie Min Ung, PhD, is an Associate Professor in Medical Physics at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia.

Robin Hill, PhD, is the head of research and education in Radiation Oncology Medical Physics, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Sydney, Australia.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032332789
Publisher:	CRC Press
Publication date:	10/17/2022
Series:	Series in Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering
Pages:	222
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Kwan Hoong Ng, PhD, FinstP, DABMP, received his MSc (medical physics) from the University of Aberdeen and PhD (medical physics) from the University of Malaya, Malaysia. He is certified by the American Board of Medical Physicists. Professor Ng was honoured as one of the top 50 medical physicists in the world by the International Organization of Medical Physics (IOMP) in 2013. He also received the International Day of Medical Physics Award in 2016. He has authored/co-authored over 230 papers in peer-reviewed journals, 25 book chapters and co-edited 5 books.

Ngie Min Ung, PhD, MIPEM, MIPM, obtained Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering and Master of Medical Physics from the University of Malaya. He then completed his PhD at the University of Western Australia in collaboration with Genesis Cancer Care (formerly known as Perth Radiation Oncology). Dr. Ung is actively involved in medical physics teaching and research activities. To date, he has authored/co-authored over 70 peer-reviewed academic journal papers and supervised a total of 10 research PhD and master students to completion.

Robin Hill PhD, MACPSEM, MAAPM received his MSc (Medical and Health Physics) from the University of Adelaide and PhD from the University of Sydney. He is actively engaged in radiation oncology medical physics research, teaching and clinical activities including volunteer involvement in several IAEA activities. Dr Hill has authored/co-authored more than 60 papers in peer-reviewed journals with a particular interest in therapeutic kilovoltage X-ray beam dosimetry. He is accredited in radiation oncology medical physics by the ACPSEM.

Table of Contents

1. External Beam Therapy Equipment 2.. Photon Beam Physics. 3. Electron Beam Physics. 4. Treatment Planning for External Beam Radiotherapy. 5. Radiation Dosimetry. 6. Special Procedures and Advanced Techniques in Radiation Therapy. 7. External Beam Commissioning and Quality Assurance. 8. Brachytherapy Treatment and Quality Assurance. 9. Basic Radiobiology. 10. Radiation Protection and Safety in Radiotherapy.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Dimitris N. Mihailidis, PhD (University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine)
Description: This book is the third volume of a three-volume set that delves into medical physics. It presents a collection of problems and questions with answers and solutions on basic radiotherapy physics knowledge. The book begins with the delivery equipment of standard conventional radiotherapy and transitions into treatment planning, special procedures, and radiobiology and radiation safety.
Purpose: The purpose of the book is to convey and emphasize basic radiotherapy physics concepts and their use in conventional radiation therapy treatments. The book executes this through problems and questions with provided answers and solutions for readers to practice and discover gaps in their knowledge.
Audience: The book suits readers who have knowledge of the topic and seek further practice through problems and questions. The content and style are appropriate for young professionals in radiotherapy physics, including graduate students and medical physics residents, as well as radiation oncology residents who are preparing for their board certification examination. Medical dosimetrists and radiation therapy technologists will benefit as well.
Features: The book consists of 10 large sections/chapters, 144 solved problems, and a bibliography. It begins with a list of abbreviations used throughout the chapters. Chapter 1 provides questions and answers that cover external beam therapy equipment, the production of the treatment beams, and their operation characteristics. Chapter 2 covers the characteristics and use of photon beams, from their production/physical processes to their dosimetric characteristics. Chapter 3 is dedicated to clinical electron beams and their physical characteristics. Chapter 4 provides good coverage of treatment planning for external beams, including a couple of treatment sites as examples. Chapter 5 covers topics of radiation dosimetry, mostly focused on the detectors used in radiation therapy physics and their characteristics and properties. Chapter 6 touches on special and some advanced treatment procedures in radiotherapy, such as image guidance, proton therapy, intensity modulation, and stereotactic radiotherapy. Chapter 7 covers external beam commissioning and quality assurance. It includes the major parameters and quantities that need to be measured to set up the external beam computation and delivery environment in the clinic. Brachytherapy is covered in Chapter 8, including quality assurance. Chapter 9 covers basic radiobiology concepts and definitions. It also includes examples of calculations of radiobiological quantities, such as the equivalent dose of 2Gy-fraction. Chapter 10 covers radiation protection and safety, including various methods used for radiation protection, like radiation shielding and radiation safety management programs. The book is a simple print with several drawings and tables to assist readers in following the questions and answers. It is small and easy to carry around.
Assessment: This volume plays an important role in the complete coverage of the subject. The solved problems and chapters on basic radiotherapy physics and its applications will undoubtedly benefit a wide audience.

Doody's Review Service

This book is the third volume of a three-volume set that delves into medical physics. It presents a collection of problems and questions with answers and solutions on basic radiotherapy physics knowledge. The book consists of 10 large sections/chapters, 144 solved problems, and a bibliography. The book begins with the delivery equipment of standard conventional radiotherapy and transitions into treatment planning, special procedures, and radiobiology and radiation safety. The purpose of the book is to convey and emphasize basic radiotherapy physics concepts and their use in conventional radiation therapy treatments. The book executes this through problems and questions with provided answers and solutions for readers to practice and discover gaps in their knowledge. The book suits readers who have knowledge of the topic and seek

further practice through problems and questions. The content and style are appropriate for young professionals in radiotherapy physics, including graduate students and medical physics residents, as well as radiation oncology residents who are preparing for their board certification examination. Medical dosimetrists and radiation therapy technologists will benefit as well.

 

This volume plays an important role in the complete coverage of the subject. The solved problems and chapters on basic radiotherapy physics and its applications will undoubtedly benefit a wide audience.”

—Dimitris Mihailidis, PhD (University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine) in Doody’s Core Titles Review 2023.

From the Publisher