Comprehensive Brachytherapy : Physical and Clinical Aspects

Brachytherapy delivers a highly localized dose to a target region using radionuclides implanted in or very near to the tumor. This book provides a complete overview of the field and covers related delivery modalities such as electronic brachytherapy. Along with exploring new clinical protocols, it discusses major advances under development, including imaging and robotics, and strategies for improved dosimetry, Monte Carlo-based dose calculation, and optimization. The first part of the text offers a detailed understanding of the underlying physics, design, and implementation of the techniques. The second part provides a practical guide for practitioners.

Modern brachytherapy is one of the most important oncological treatment modalities requiring an integrated approach that utilizes new technologies, advanced clinical imaging facilities, and a thorough understanding of the radiobiological effects on different tissues, the principles of physics, dosimetry techniques and protocols, and clinical expertise. A complete overview of the field, Comprehensive Brachytherapy: Physical and Clinical Aspects is a landmark publication, presenting a detailed account of the underlying physics, design, and implementation of the techniques, along with practical guidance for practitioners.

Bridging the gap between research and application, this single source brings together the technological basis, radiation dosimetry, quality assurance, and fundamentals of brachytherapy. In addition, it presents discussion of the most recent clinical practice in brachytherapy including prostate, gynecology, breast, and other clinical treatment sites. Along with exploring new clinical protocols, it discusses major advances in imaging, robotics, dosimetry, Monte Carlo-based dose calculation, and optimization.