PX3247: Radiation for Medical Therapy
| School | Cardiff School of Physics & Astronomy |
| Department Code | PHYSX |
| Module Code | PX3247 |
| External Subject Code | 100419 |
| Number of Credits | 10 |
| Level | L6 |
| Language of Delivery | English |
| Module Leader | Professor Neil Pugh |
| Semester | Spring Semester |
| Academic Year | 2013/4 |
Outline Description of Module
Give an overview of the physical properties of ionising and non-ionising radiation and its interaction with matter.
Provide an introduction to the therapeutic applications of ionising and non-ionising radiation in medicine
On completion of the module a student should be able to
Identify the means by which ionising and non-ionising radiation interacts with matter and outline the dependence of attenuation on the properties of the radiation and the material with which it interacts.
Describe the types and properties of ionising and non-ionising radiation which are used therapeutically.
Understand the requirements for the safe application of radiation for therapy.
How the module will be delivered
Lectures 22 x 1 hr, Exercises.
Skills that will be practised and developed
Problem solving. Investigative skills. Mathematics. Analytical skills.
How the module will be assessed
Examination 80%. Coursework 20%. [Examination duration: 2 hours]
Assessment Breakdown
| Type | % | Title | Duration(hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exam - Spring Semester | 80 | Radiation For Medical Therapy | 2 |
| Written Assessment | 20 | Radiation For Medical Therapy | N/A |
Syllabus content
Introduction: Overview of therapeutic applications of radiation in medicine, Ionising and non-ionising electromagnetic radiation – radioactivity, x-rays, UV, lasers, microwaves.
Ionising Radiation Fundamentals: Dose measurement, Radiobiology.
Radiotherapy Equipment: Clinical beams, Measurements and calculations.
Patient Dose Computation: Methods, Treatment planning.
Quality Assurance
Special Techniques: Conformal and intensity-modulated radiation therapy, Stereotactic techniques, Proton beams in radiotherapy, Total body irradiation (TBI), Total skin electron irradiation, High LET modalities.
Brachytherapy: Calculation, Treatment Planning, Radiobiology.
Therapy With Unsealed Sources
Radiation Protection In Radiotherapy: Theoretical background, Regulation, Practical implementation.
Optical Radiation: Characteristics, production, interactions, detection and measurement, optical properties of tissue, bio-effects, applications, legislation & guidance, safety, QA.
Characteristics: EM spectrum, wavelengths/frequencies/energies, spectra-types including lasers.
Sources & Production: Tungsten light, tungsten halogen, fluorescent tubes, arc lamps, lasers.
Interactions: reflection, Lambertian surface, refraction, diffraction, scattering, absorption – Beer Lambert law.
Detection & Measurement: Photometry & radiometry, units, photopic, scotopic, action spectra, units, detector types – silicon photodiode, thermopile detector, PM tube, radiometer/spectroradiometer components.
Optical Properties: Chromophores, optical transport including scattering phase function.
Bioeffects: Thermal, non-thermal.
Applications : Phototherapy (UV, blue light), Laser ablation and non-ablative applications, Radiant warming, Photodynamic therapy.
Legislation & Guidance: AORD, Care standards Act, HSW etc Act.
Safety: Hazards, risk assessment, precautions, adverse events.
Quality Assurance: Rationale for QA, features of QA system.
EM fields: Characteristics, production, interactions, detection and measurement, EM properties of tissue, bio-effects, applications, legislation & guidance, safety, QA.
Essential Reading and Resource List
Handbook of Radiotherapy Physics: Theory and Practice; Eds. WPM Mayles, AE Nahum & JC Rosenwald (Taylor & Francis, 2007)
Light scattering methods & instruments for medical diagnostics (SPIE) V Tuchin
Medical Lasers – Science & Clinical applications, JAS Carruth & AL McKenzie
Radiotherapy Physics in Practice (second edition); J R Williams and D I Thwaites (editors). (2000, Oxford University Press)