- IMRT Physics and Quality Assurance
- Optimization for Planning of IMRT
- CT and MR Imaging of Brain and H&N Cancers
- CT and MR Imaging of Abdomen and Pelvis
- PET Imaging for IMRT
- Posterior Fossa and Skull Base Tumors
- Nodal Target Volume for Head and Neck Cancer
- Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses
- Nasopharynx
- Oral Cavity
- Oropharynx
- Hypopharynx and Larynx
- Metastatic Carcinoma in Neck Node with Unknown Primary
- Breast Cancer
- Thoracic Cancer
- Pelvic and Para-aortic Nodal Target Delineation
- Prostate Cancer
- Gynecological Cancer
- Index
Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) offers an excellent opportunity to optimize the therapeutic ratio in radiation oncology through maximizing tumor coverage and sparing normal tissue by appropriate clinical input and precise computer algorithms. This cutting edge technology is being used not only in academic institutions, but also in community clinics. The increasing need for essential practical guidelines to address clinical indication, imaging interpretation, target delineation, and plan optimization has inspired the genesis of the 2nd edition of Practical Essentials of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy.In this book, a practical overview of IMRT physics, quality assurance, and treatment planning and optimization are first given in Chapters 1 and 2. Because successful implementation of IMRT depends on proficient understanding in anatomical imaging (computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging), pertinent information to update readers on this topic is provided in Chapters 3 and 4 for brain, head and neck, urological, and gynecological cancers. Further, integrating functional imaging to assist in more accurate target delineation or for dose escalation may soon be a clinical reality, we elicit the process and caution of incorporating functional images for IMRT planning in Chapter 5.
In the first edition, we provided practical guidance for IMRT in the management of head and neck cancer patients. Because IMRT utilization has become more widespread, the 2nd edition expands the breadth of coverage to include concise, relevant overviews of the natural course, diagnostic criteria, therapeutic options, as well as up-to-date IMRT treatment guidelines for other various tumor sites. Chapters 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 provide updated information and results on head and neck cancers with a new Chapter 13 on thyroid carcinoma. New chapters encompassing breast, thoracic, esophageal, prostate, and gynecological cancers are included with high quality of illustration to assist reader in target determination and delineation (Chapters 15, 16, 17, 18 and 20, 21).
We emphasize the importance of understanding basic anatomy and the corresponding imaging sections that are being used for target and normal tissue determination and delineation. Accordingly, more than 350 full-color, detailed illustrations are provided to clarify each step in the clinical implementation of IMRT. We believe this new edition will assist residents, fellows, and clinicians of radiation oncology in learning the practical essentials for the clinical evaluation, decision-making, and technical proficiency of IMRT for multiple disease sites. The information presented in this book will continue to be refined, as rapid accumulation of clinical experience and evolution of imaging and targeting techniques have become so evident.
Clifford K.S. Chao MD
Book Review
A revolution has been taking place in radiation oncology over the last 15 years. Although it began many years before, the evolution of conformal radiation therapy (CRT) escalated dramatically between 1993 and 1996. Treatment planning for CRT migrated from very progressive individual institutions to commercial availability and widespread use in the radiation oncology community. Treatment planning systems have continued to evolve over the past decade and treatment delivery capability has largely caught up with the planning capability. It has also become possible to archive three-dimensional images including dose distributions. This permits research relating normal tissue volumes to toxicity and holds the promise of better defining normal tissue complication probabilities based on volumes irradiated.
Whereas three-dimensional CRT has become standard, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is still evolving. The broad field of image guided radiation therapy of which IMRT is an important part, is constantly developing as a function of improved imaging of tumors and surrounding normal tissues. The ability to fuse images, especially anatomic and metabolic images, is only beginning to be appreciated with reference to specific clinical problems. Although there is broad availability of IMRT planning and delivery capability, there is still much uncertainty about proper use of IMRT. In addition, limited numbers of medical physicists limit implementation of IMRT.
The second edition of Practical Essentials of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy is very ambitious. It sets the stage for a contemporary exposé of IMRT physics, treatment planning, and quality assurance. It explores the imaging techniques available for image-guided radiation therapy in multiple anatomic locations. Great emphasis is placed on malignant tumors arising in the head and neck. The anatomic constraints and issues related to target delineation in these locations help define the problems and possibilities clearly when there is no motion related to the tumor location day to day. However, in the thorax, and even in the pelvis, tumor motion is a matter of concern. The anatomic location of the tumor must be established daily or the tumor must be immobilized with a great degree of certainty. These efforts are progressing at a very rapid rate, to assure optimal utilization of IMRT and even set the seen for proton beam therapy in the few institutions where such capability is or will be available.
As was the case for the first edition of this important textbook, the reader will find a clear articulation of current state of the art in advanced treatment planning, target determination, target delineation, and dose delivery with the heaviest emphasis on IMRT. It provides a strong foundation upon which the medical community is continuing to build. Practical issues and constraints related to target delineation are elaborated extensively in this text. What also becomes clear is the continued evolution in this exciting and demanding domain in radiation oncology. Although it is critical to have such capability articulated carefully and fully in the second edition of this important work, the need for additional editions is apparent from the rate of change, indicated by the progress that has been made between the first and second editions of this work.
Whereas three-dimensional CRT has become standard, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is still evolving. The broad field of image guided radiation therapy of which IMRT is an important part, is constantly developing as a function of improved imaging of tumors and surrounding normal tissues. The ability to fuse images, especially anatomic and metabolic images, is only beginning to be appreciated with reference to specific clinical problems. Although there is broad availability of IMRT planning and delivery capability, there is still much uncertainty about proper use of IMRT. In addition, limited numbers of medical physicists limit implementation of IMRT.
The second edition of Practical Essentials of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy is very ambitious. It sets the stage for a contemporary exposé of IMRT physics, treatment planning, and quality assurance. It explores the imaging techniques available for image-guided radiation therapy in multiple anatomic locations. Great emphasis is placed on malignant tumors arising in the head and neck. The anatomic constraints and issues related to target delineation in these locations help define the problems and possibilities clearly when there is no motion related to the tumor location day to day. However, in the thorax, and even in the pelvis, tumor motion is a matter of concern. The anatomic location of the tumor must be established daily or the tumor must be immobilized with a great degree of certainty. These efforts are progressing at a very rapid rate, to assure optimal utilization of IMRT and even set the seen for proton beam therapy in the few institutions where such capability is or will be available.
As was the case for the first edition of this important textbook, the reader will find a clear articulation of current state of the art in advanced treatment planning, target determination, target delineation, and dose delivery with the heaviest emphasis on IMRT. It provides a strong foundation upon which the medical community is continuing to build. Practical issues and constraints related to target delineation are elaborated extensively in this text. What also becomes clear is the continued evolution in this exciting and demanding domain in radiation oncology. Although it is critical to have such capability articulated carefully and fully in the second edition of this important work, the need for additional editions is apparent from the rate of change, indicated by the progress that has been made between the first and second editions of this work.
- by James Cox MD -
Book Details
- Hardcover: 324 pages
- Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Second edition (September 28, 2004)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0781752795
- ISBN-13: 978-0781752794
List Price: $190.50