MEDRADSC 1F03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Dosimetry, Brachytherapy, Radioactive Decay

• School: McMaster University
• Department: Medical Radiation Sciences
• Course: MEDRADSC 1F03
• Professor: Tara Blaszynski

Document Summary

Radiation therapy: the branch of medicine that deals with the study and treatment of malignant tumors, radiation oncology. Use of surgery in the management of cancer. Principles: radiation can kill cells that are actively dividing. Indirectly damaging dna be creating a free radical (ion) Small daily fractions increases the overall dose that vsn be delivered without sever damage to normal: external beam raditation therapy. Radiation delivered from the linear accelerator from outside the body. X-ray tadiation must travel through normal tissues to a tumour. Radiative isotopes are placed directly into or near a tumor. Immobilization devices ae used to help the patient lay still in the treatment position: goal: optimal stable position + comfort, standard devices: Heard rests, knee wedges etc: custom devices: Ensure they are ein precise position everday. Radiation fields defined with patient in treatment position. Permanent marks on body for accurate alignment of fields.