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Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics, Vol. 5, No. 4, October-December, 2009, pp. 334 Book Review Radiation Oncology: A Physicist's-Eye View Huilgol NagrajG Chief Radiation Oncologist, Department of Radiation Oncology, Dr. Balabhai Nanavati Hospital, S.V. Road, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai - 400 056 Code Number: cr09085 Editor: M. Goitein Publishers: The Micheal Goitein Book Publisher is Springer + Business Media, L.L.C Cost: Rs 5,273.52/- INR Number of pages: 330 Springer, New York This is a brief description (not a review) of my book "Radiation Oncology: A Physicist′s-Eye View," which is not a textbook. It is a description of the basic steps in planning and delivering external-beam radiation therapy and written in a straightforward conversational style with almost no equations or complex technical details. It is intended to provide an overview and framework to understand radiation therapy. As such, it is a top-level description which needs to be supplemented by more formal texts to be fully conversant with the physical aspects of the discipline of radiation oncology. A heavy emphasis is placed on understanding and taking into account uncertainties in the process of planning and delivering therapy. Two chapters are devoted to uncertainty analysis. It is argued that uncertainties must be quantitatively appreciated so that the inevitable risks which accompany any medical intervention can be minimized. Imaging has always been important in planning radiation treatment and with the excellent imaging modalities available now, it is becoming increasingly so. A chapter is devoted to describing the various forms of imaging and their use. Radiation dose is the quantity which physicists tend to deal with. However, a chapter is devoted to arguing that dose is only a surrogate for what is of importance to the patient, namely, the biological impact of the radiation he or she receives. In this context, the current biophysical models of dose-volume effects are reviewed. The planning of high-energy X-ray therapy is described in a sequence of chapters devoted to the: design of a single beam; management of patient motion; "manual" design of a treatment plan; methods to assess a plan and to compare plans and finally, the computer-driven optimization of a plan, particularly in the context of developing plans for intensity-modulated radiation therapy. Proton therapy has recently attracted much wider interest than hitherto and two chapters are devoted to the planning and delivery of proton beam therapy. The properties of protons are described, and a review of the differences in proton treatments and comparisons with X-ray treatments, need to be planned. This book addresses some fairly complex subjects such as plan optimization, but is written at a level which should be understandable by the technically educated layman or a radiation/oncologist/physicist at the beginning of his/her training, as well as by experienced practitioners. It is my hope that it will give them an overview of the subject which will increase both their understanding and enjoyment of it. The book by Goitein is superbly written in prose, as elegant as any classic novel. It is replete with information. I am glad I ordered the book. Copyright 2009 - Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics |
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