The Modern Technology of Radiation Oncology, Vol 2
Author: Jacob Van Dyk, editorISBN: 9781930524255 ISBN10: 1930524250
Published: 2005 | 514 pp | Hardcover
Price: $ 120.00
Medical Physics | January 2006
This book is a compilation consisting of ten chapters contributed by 22 authors. It is the companion to Volume 1, which was published in 1999. As the editor sets forth in the preface, the purpose of volume 2 is to describe the significant incremental advances that have occurred with the technology associated with radiation oncology over the past five years. Not all of the topics of volume 1 have been updated in volume 2; hence volume 2 adds to, but does not entirely replace, volume 1. Two chapters are devoted to imaging in radiation therapy, two chapters are devoted to IMRT, and single chapters are devoted to Monte Carlo dose calculations, radiobiological modeling, breathing control in radiation treatment, megavoltage calibration, and prostate brachytherapy. All chapters are of uniformly high quality and are extensively referenced. Thus readers wishing to delve further into a topic are provided with good bibliographic starting points. The chapter on "Imaging for Radiation Therapy Planning" provides an excellent summary that should be a valuable reference for candidates preparing for board examinations. The IMRT chapters summarize many important developments in IMRT and provide practical tips and advice. While radiobiological modeling for treatment planning has yet to be clinically implemented on a wide scale, the chapter on this topic would be a good starting point for centers exploring its potential. The chapter on "Calibration of Megavoltage Radiation Beams" summarizes and compares both U.S. national and international calibration protocols and provides worked examples of their use. The final chapter covers prostate brachytherapy. In addition to discussing recent developments, such as the role of magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging in planning seed distribution, many clinically relevant practical techniques are reviewed as well.
In his preface the editor states, "These volumes appear to be especially useful to those who are either embarking on the implementation of these new technologies or those who are relatively new to the field of medical physics and are preparing for certification examination." This is a good description of this volume. The only recent developments not reviewed involve image guided radiation therapy provided by such systems as Tomotherapy, Trilogy, or Cyberknife. Undoubtedly these will provide the basis for future volumes.
Reviewed by Marc Edwards, Ph.D.
Marc Edwards, Ph.D., is a medical physicist at Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park, Kansas.