Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy

IMRT represents a new paradigm in the radiation therapy process that requires knowledge of multimodality imaging, setup uncertainties and internal organ motion, tumor control probabilities, normal tissue complication probabilities, three-dimensional dose calculation and optimisation and dynamic beam delivery of non-uniform beam intensities. Written by contributors who are among the foremost in the field, this book presents a snapshot of the current IMRT planning and delivery technology. It discusses issues that confront safe implementation of IMRT and encourages reflection on its future. The result is a handbook that will aid both experienced radiation oncology physicists and newcomers to the field in understanding the nuances of IMRT and its safe implementation in the clinics. The level of presentation is designed for practicing medical physicists who are not specialists in IMRT. Some issues such as imaging and target delineation, quality assurance and its frequency, and achievable accuracy are discussed in multiple chapters and from differing points of view, reflecting the diversity of opinions in this rapidly evolving field.