Learning Objectives
- Outline the basic principles underlying radiotherapy and its cellular effects
- Compare and contrast photon vs electron radiation therapy for cancer
- Outline the major approaches to radiotherapy planning including accuracy, simulation and treatment verification
- Outline the methods for delivery of radiotherapy, and explain why radiation dose is normally fractionated
- Describe the concept of therapeutic ratio in radiotherapy and the factors that affect it
- Describe the mechanisms responsible for early and late toxicity and give examples
- List the 5Rs or radiotherapy and explain how each relates to cancer treatment
- Explain how radiation therapy is used in conjunction with surgery and chemotherapy
- Outline the key principles of radiation safety
- Outline the methods and approaches used in nuclear medicine including x-ray, CT scan, PET scan, MRI
Mechanism of Cancer Radiotherapy
- what are the 2 aims of cancer radiotherapy?
- what are the cellular effects of radiotherapy?
- what are 3 potential outcomes of these effects?
- compare photon vs electron radiotherapy?
Radiotherapy Planning
- what is targeted in radiotherapy?
- what are the 2 types of accuracy in radiotherapy?