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 | 2014/5 |
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)
Background Reading and Resource List
Not applicable.
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