Textbook of Radiotherapy

This textbook covers the uses of radiation and cytotoxic drugs in the treatment of patients with malignant disease. Now in its fifth edition, it includes new chapters on palliative and continuing care and quality of life, medical management of malignant disease and radiation protection.

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The fifth edition of this text keeps the basic format of the fourth, namely to deal with radiation physics in Part 1 and with radiotherapy and oncology in Part 2. In recognition of the continuing expansion of the whole field of radiotherapy, the text has been expanded and full colour plates have been included. The physics section, Part 1, is divided into 12 chapters, and has been completely revised and updated. Chapter 1 is a summary of the basic knowledge assumed in the remaining chapters. Chapter 11 is devoted to neutron and proton therapy. the former has never lived up to expectations, except in a few particular areas, whereas the latter is an exciting field and bigger and better facilities are being developed around the world. Chapter 12 seeks to marry the existing statutory requirements on radiation protection with the more recent recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. The section on radiotherapy and oncology has been almost completely rewritten.
In order to provide a practical guide to clinical radiotherapy and to satisfy the examination requirements of both radiographers and radiotherapists, the text on radiotherapy technique is more detailed than in the previous edition. The general format of chapters dealing with tumours by anatomical site has been retained. There is an increase in the number of diagrams illustrating relevant anatomy and treatment volumes. New chapters have been included on palliative and continuing care and quality of life, reflecting their importance in clinical practice and on new developments in oncology. While the emphasis of the clinical section is still on radiotherapy, the section on medical oncology has been considerably expanded in recognition of the role played by cytotoxic therapy in a wide range of malignancies, with an additional section on the medical management of malignant disease. The basic aim of the book remains as it has been - namely a basic but comprehensive text covering the uses of radiation and cytotoxic drugs in the treatment of patients with malignant disease.
As such it is intended as a study book for those seeking to qualify as therapy radiographers or as medical technical officers as well as an introductory text for the Fellowship of the Royal College of Radiologists (Radiotherapy and Oncology) and for Clinical Physicists.