Advanced Radiotherapy

MEDN65751 Advanced Radiotherapy 15 Semester 1 Postgraduate Taught Level 6 Marianne Aznar Unit coordinator Adam Aitkenhead Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 The unit will cover both the underlying science and clinical aspects of radiotherapy through the following topics: <ul> <li> The unit will provide detailed understanding of the physics underpinning radiotherapy, including the interactions between radiation and matter and radiation beam characteristics and quality.</li> <li> Delivery technologies for external beam radiotherapy, both photon and electron beam, will be presented detailing the hardware required for beam generation and shaping.</li> <li> Methods for internal delivery of radiation will be presented, detailing key concepts in brachytherapy and molecular radiotherapy.</li> <li> Linear accelerator commissioning and measurements of beam characteristics will be described, including commissioning guidelines and codes of practice for linking machine dosimetry to national standards.</li> <li> The operation and capabilities of linear accelerator operation will be presented, along with the measurement techniques for dosimetry and quality assurance of machine characteristics.</li> <li> The hardware and operation of on-treatment imaging used in image guided radiotherapy will be described.</li> <li> Visits to clinical linear accelerator bunkers will be arranged (depending on clinical workload).</li> <li> Key principles in treatment planning, including: segmentation, target definition, delivery techniques (3D conformal, IMRT, VMAT, SABR), dose calculation algorithms and concepts regarding handling motion within planning strategies.</li> <li> Students will synthesis their treatment planning knowledge within practical experience of creating clinical standard treatment plans.</li> <li> Concepts for radiation protection and safety in radiotherapy delivery.</li> </ul> The unit will cover both the underlying science and clinical aspects of radiotherapy through the following topics:<ul><li>The unit will provide detailed understanding of the physics underpinning radiotherapy, including the interactions between radiation and matter and radiation beam characteristics and quality.</li><li>Delivery technologies for external beam radiotherapy, both photon and electron beam, will be presented detailing the hardware required for beam generation and shaping.</li><li>Methods for internal delivery of radiation will be presented, detailing key concepts in brachytherapy and molecular radiotherapy.</li><li>Linear accelerator commissioning and measurements of beam characteristics will be described, including commissioning guidelines and codes of practice for linking machine dosimetry to national standards.</li><li>The operation and capabilities of linear accelerator operation will be presented, along with the measurement techniques for dosimetry and quality assurance of machine characteristics.</li><li>The hardware and operation of on-treatment imaging used in image guided radiotherapy will be described.</li><li>Visits to clinical linear accelerator bunkers will be arranged (depending on clinical workload).</li><li>Key principles in treatment planning, including: segmentation, target definition, delivery techniques (3D conformal, IMRT, VMAT, SABR), dose calculation algorithms and concepts regarding handling motion within planning strategies.</li><li>Students will synthesis their treatment planning knowledge within practical experience of creating clinical standard treatment plans.</li><li>Concepts for radiation protection and safety in radiotherapy delivery.</li></ul> <div> The aim of this unit is to describe the range of treatment options available in radiotherapy, covering external photon and electron beams and internal delivery via brachytherapy and molecular radiotherapy. Students will gain in-depth knowledge of the underlying physics that dictates the achievable dose distributions, and the methodologies behind the treatment planning and clinical delivery of radiotherapy. </div> Students should/will be able to:<ul><li>Appraise the role of radiotherapy as a method for cancer treatment.</li><li>Analyse the different interactions of radiation with matter and evaluate beam characteristics.</li><li>Demonstrate knowledge of radiotherapy beam generation and radiation measurement.</li><li>Appraise different treatment planning approaches and the key considerations for treatment optimisation.</li><li>Examine the role of image-guidance in radiotherapy, evaluating the clinical potential.</li></ul> Students should/will be able to:<ul><li>Examine radiation interactions and their role in dose deposition in radiotherapy.</li><li>Evaluate radiotherapy beam generation and dose measurement approaches.</li><li>Critically compare and contrast treatment planning optimisation approaches and their role in enabling bespoke radiotherapy.</li><li>Examine the role of image-guidance in radiotherapy.</li></ul> Students should/will be able to:<ul><li>Apply knowledge of beam generation and measurement.</li><li>Synthesis knowledge to optimise a treatment plan, explaining rationale for approach.</li><li>Evaluate the role of image-guidance in radiotherapy.</li></ul> Students should/will be able to:<ul><li>Apply analytical skills to systematically evaluate evidence.</li><li>Technical: Practical experience in radiotherapy plan optimisation.</li></ul> The following learning and teaching processes will be utilised: Classroom based teaching, podcasts, interactive computer simulation practical sessions and paired programming, formative assessments, interactive group based discussion and tutorial sessions, on-line resources, independent study, facility tours and demonstrations. 0 Other 100% Summative 1: 50% Worked example of radiotherapy calculations - e.g., linking machine output to primary standard / plan verification; including quantification of uncertainties and evaluation of action tolerances. This will be presented in the style of a radiotherapy quality system report. A template will be provided. Summative 2: 50% Case report of radiotherapy planning case - short report covering presentation of the case, compromises made and a discussion and justification of approach for optimisation / compromises on organ at risk dose. Feedback will be provided within the required timeframe. MSc Cancer Bio & Radio Phys FT MSc Cancer Bio & Radio Phys FT PGDT Taught Component Optional PG Dip Cancer Bio & Radio Phys PG Dip Cancer Bio & Radio Phys PGDT Taught Component Optional MSc Cancer Bio & Radio Phys 36 MSc Cancer Bio & Radio Phys 36 PGDT Taught Component Optional MSc Med Phys in Cancer Rad FT MSc Med Phys in Cancer Rad FT PGDT Taught Component Mandatory MSc Med Phys in Cancer Rad PT MSc Med Phys in Cancer Rad PT PGDT Taught Component Mandatory N 0 0 150