Introduction to Radiation Therapy

Abstract

Radiation therapy is a treatment modality requiring a complex understanding of the physical and biological effects to determine the best plan for each patient. The process of radiation treatment requires a specialized scan followed by contouring of the target areas and organs at risk for toxicity. Individualized treatment planning is then performed by dosimetrists and physicists. Plans are evaluated to ensure sufficient dose to the tumor while limiting dose to the organs at risk below predefined constraints. Brachytherapy, a type of radiation using sealed radioactive sources, can provide very localized high-dose radiation therapy to physically accessible tumors.