Treatment Planning
Treatment planning involves producing the optimum dose
distribution to deliver the prescribed radiotherapy treatment to
the volume being treated (usually a tumour) while minimising the
dose to nearby sensitive tissues (eg eyes, brain, spinal cord).
Plans are produced for a wide range of highly complex clinical
sites. Advanced techniques are used to produce the best possible
treatment plans. A state-of-the-art computer system, Raystation, is
used for the complex plans.
The department is involved in several clinical trials as well as
local studies aiming to improve patient outcomes.
For information on our specialist techniques click
here.
Dosimetry & QA
This involves performing routine checks of the treatment beam
parameters (e.g. output) and linac geometry. The dosimetry team
ensure that the linacs and other equipment involved in radiotherapy
treatment are working optimally to meet the treatment
objectives.
Further testing is
required following equipment upgrades, routine services, or to
investigate and resolve problems.
Patient specific tests may be required when new techniques are
introduced to ensure the techniques function properly.
If equipment performance is not satisfactory it is taken out of
use until the faults are rectified.
Stereotactic Radiosurgery/Radiotherapy
This technique involves delivering radiotherapy doses to
extremely small volumes within the patients' skull. The clinical
situations which are treated range from primary tumours and
non-malignant conditions to secondary tumours within the brain.
Both CT and MRI scans are used for planning the treatment.
Brachytherapy
This technique uses a safely contained radioactive source within
or near the surface of the body to irradiate smaller tumours. It is
often used to treat tumours arising within the cervix and prostate.
One advantage of brachytherapy is that it can deliver the
required dose close to the source and tissues further from
the source receive relatively little radiation.
Molecular Radiotherapy
This technique involves administering a radioactive substance to
the patient either in a simple chemical form or as part of a more
complex chemical compound. The substance is then subject to the
normal physiological processes within the body enabling it to be
concentrated at the clinical site where it then releases the
radiation dose. An example is the use of radioactive iodine-131
which can be used to treat thyroid tumours which actively take up
iodine. Sometimes patients receiving molecular radiotherapy need to
be confined in hospital for a few days in order to minimise the
dose to the public and family members.
Radiation Protection
This service is provided to enable the safe use of
radiation in line with the requirements of UK legislation. It
includes the writing of key departmental documents and providing
practical advice regarding the protection of patients, staff and
members of the public.
Teaching and Training
This service is provided for Clinical Scientist trainees on the
STP (Scientific Training Programme) course and involves providing
general and specialist training in radiotherapy physics as part of
their 3 years in Medical Physics. Trainees specialising in
radiotherapy physics usually undertake a relevant and often
original MSc project in this area as well as being encouraged to
make the most of their elective opportunity. Training is also
provided to therapy radiographers on placement within the
hospital.
