This book provides an overview of recent advances in radiation oncology, many of which have originated from physics and engineering sciences. The new technologies in this field have a complex physical, mathematical and technical background that technical assistants, dosimetrists, and physicians frequently find difficult to comprehend. However, this book is specifically designed to be readily understandable by professionals and students with a medical background as well as by newcomers to radiation oncology from the field of physics. All relevant areas of the subject are covered in detail, including 3D imaging and image processing, 3D treatment planning, modern treatment techniques, patient positioning, and aspects of verification and quality assurance.

New Technologies in 3D Conformal Radiation Therapy: Introduction and Overview

3D Reconstruction
Processing and Segmentation of 3D Images
3D Visualization
Image Registration and Data Fusion for Radiotherapy Treatment Planning
Data Formats, Networking, Archiving and Telemedicine
Clinical X-Ray Computed Tomography
4D Imaging and Treatment Planning
Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Radiotherapy Planning
Potential of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for Radiotherapy Planning
PET and PET/CT for Radiotherapy Planning
Patient Positioning in Radiotherapy Using Optical-Guided 3D Ultrasound Techniques
Definition of Target Volume and Organs at Risk. Biological Target Volume
Virtual Therapy Simulation
Dose Calculation Algorithms
Monte Carlo Dose Calculation for Treatment Planning
Optimization of Treatment Plans, Inverse Planning
Biological Models in Treatment Planning
2D and 3D Planning in Brachytherapy
Beam Delivery in 3D Conformal Radiotherapy Using Multi-Leaf Collimators
Stereotactic Radiotherapy/Radiosurgery
Extracranial Stereotactic Radiation Therapy
X-IMRT
Control of Breathing Motion: Techniques and Models (Gated Radiotherapy)
Image-Guided/Adaptive Radiotherapy
Predictive Compensation of Breathing Motion in Lung Cancer Radiosurgery
Proton Therapy
Heavy Ion Radiotherapy
Permanent-Implant Brachytherapy in Prostate Cancer
Vascular Brachytherapy
Partial Breast Brachytherapy After Conservative Surgery for Early Breast Cancer: Techniques and Results
3D Quality Assurance Systems
Quality Management in Radiotherapy.