This Code of Practice, which has also been endorsed by WHO, PAHO and ESTRO, fulfils the need for a systematic and internationally unified approach to the calibration of ionization chambers in terms of absorbed dose to water and to the use of these detectors in determining the absorbed dose to water for the radiation beams used in radiotherapy. It provides a methodology for the determination of absorbed dose to water in the low, medium and high energy photon beams, electron beams, proton beams and heavy ion beams used for external radiation therapy.

This publication is aimed at students and teachers involved in teaching programmes in field of medical radiation physics, and it covers the basic medical physics knowledge required in the form of a syllabus for modern radiation oncology. The information will be useful to those preparing for professional certification exams in radiation oncology, medical physics, dosimetry or radiotherapy technology.

Fosters a thorough understand of radiation dosimetry concepts: detailed solutions to the exercises in the textbook Fundamentals of Ionizing Radiation Dosimetry!

Proton Therapy Physics goes beyond current books on proton therapy to provide an in-depth overview of the physics aspects of this radiation therapy modality, eliminating the need to dig through information scattered in the medical physics literature. After tracing the history of proton therapy, the book summarizes the atomic and nuclear physics background necessary for understanding proton interactions with tissue. It describes the physics of proton accelerators, the parameters of clinical proton beams, and the mechanisms to generate a conformal dose distribution in a patient. The text then covers detector systems and measuring techniques for reference dosimetry, outlines basic quality assurance and commissioning guidelines, and gives examples of Monte Carlo simulations in proton therapy. The book moves on to discussions of treatment planning for single- and multiple-field uniform doses, dose calculation concepts and algorithms, and precision and uncertainties for nonmoving and moving targets. It also examines computerized treatment plan optimization, methods for in vivo dose or beam range verification, the safety of patients and operating personnel, and the biological implications of using protons from a physics perspective. The final chapter illustrates the use of risk models for common tissue complications in treatment optimization. Along with exploring quality assurance issues and biological considerations, this practical guide collects the latest clinical studies on the use of protons in treatment planning and radiation monitoring. Suitable for both newcomers in medical physics and more seasoned specialists in radiation oncology, the book helps readers understand the uncertainties and limitations of precisely shaped dose distribution.

Accuracy requirements in radiation oncology have been defined in multiple publications; however, these have been based on differing radiation technologies. In the meantime, the uncertainties in radiation dosimetry reference standards have been reduced and more detailed patient outcome data are available. No comprehensive literature on accuracy and uncertainties in radiotherapy has been published so far. The IAEA has therefore developed a new international consensus document on accuracy requirements and uncertainties in radiation therapy, to promote safer and more effective patient treatments. This publication addresses accuracy and uncertainty issues related to the vast majority of radiotherapy departments including both external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy. It covers clinical, radiobiological, dosimetric, technical and physical aspects.

This publication provides guidance for designing and implementing radiotherapy programmes, taking into account clinical, medical physics, radiation protection and safety aspects. It reflects current requirements for radiotherapy infrastructure in settings with limited resources. It will be of use to professionals involved in the development, implementation and management of radiotherapy programmes

Provides a comprehensive overview of the development of procedures for in vivo dosimetry in radiotherapy. It elaborates on the technology behind in vivo dosimetry and describes an initial set of measurements.

An in-depth introduction to radiotherapy physics emphasizing the clinical aspects of the field. This second edition gradually and sequentially develops each of its topics in clear and concise language. It includes important mathematical analyses, yet is written so that these sections can be skipped, if desired, without compromising understanding. The book consists of seven parts covering basic physics (Parts I-II), equipment for radiotherapy (Part III), radiation dosimetry (Parts IV-V), radiation treatment planning (Part VI), and radiation safety and shielding (Part VII). An invaluable text for radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, and clinical physicists.

This publication covers all the aspects of the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of ion beams, including laboratory measurements of RBE and the important variables that influence it, dose related quantities and units, and approaches to the clinical use of the concept of RBE based on experimental findings, theoretical models, and previous clinical experience with fast neutrons and ions. This publication is the result of a joint initiative of the IAEA and ICRU (International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements). It is the only current extensive review of ion beam RBE, and it is expected to be a reference volume for existing and future centres employing ion beams for therapeutic use.