Radiation therapy physics

This text examines the theory, practice and application of radiation therapy physics. It includes material on atomic structure and production of x-rays, advanced principles, computerized planning, computer systems, treatment planning, quality assurance and radiation protection. The approach is largely non-mathematical, and each chapter integrates "example problems" which illustrate physical principles and applications described in the text. Other topics covered include: physics of current linear accelerators; measurement techniques for ionizing radiation; protocols for calibration of electron and photon beams; imaging techniques and their interface with treatment planning; current brachytherapy techniques; and new approaches to radiation therapy, including charged particle and neutron beams, altered fractionation schemes and conformal therapy.