Proton Therapy Physics

Expanding on the highly successful previous two editions, this third edition of Proton Therapy Physics has been updated throughout and includes several new chapters on “Adaptive Proton Therapy”, “Imaging for Planning”, “Flash Proton Therapy”, and “Outcome Modelling for Patient Selection”.

Suitable for both newcomers in medical physics and more seasoned specialists in radiation oncology, this book provides an in-depth overview of the physics of this radiation therapy modality, eliminating the need to dig through information scattered across medical physics literature.

After tracing the history of proton therapy, the book explores the atomic and nuclear physics background necessary for understanding proton interactions with tissue. The text then covers dosimetry, including beam delivery, shielding aspects, computer simulations, detector systems and measuring techniques for reference dosimetry. Important for daily operations, acceptance testing, commissioning, quality assurance and monitor unit calibrations are outlined. The book moves on to discussions of treatment planning for single- and multiple-field uniform doses, dose calculation concepts and algorithms, and precision and uncertainties for nonmoving and moving targets. Imaging for treatment guidance as well as treatment monitoring is outlined. Finally, the biological implications of using protons from a physics perspective are discussed.

This book is an ideal practical guide for physicians, dosimetrists, radiation therapists, and physicists who already have some experience in radiation oncology. It is also an invaluable reference for graduate students in medical physics programs, physicians in their last year of medical school or residency, and those considering a career in medical physics.

"Proton Therapy Physics should be a must-have reference book on desks of all research and clinical physicists working in the field of proton therapy. The book is very comprehensive, covering all important aspects of proton therapy physics, including beam delivery, dosimetry, operation, treatment planning, image guidance, and biological efforts. Almost all chapter authors are well known experts in the field. So the chapters are all well written, informative, and up-to-date. More importantly, the editor, Dr. Harald Paganetti is a well-respected, well established researcher in proton therapy physics. I would strongly recommend this book!"
— Steve B. Jiang, Professor Vice Chair, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center