HDR brachytherapy will be in the forefront of radiation oncology in the coming decades. This is the first textbook that offers the much needed information necessary to use this treatment modality. It begins with a discussion of the physics and radiobiology of HDR bracytherapy and continues with its application for specific body sites. Brachytherapy nursing and intraoperative HDR are also discussed

Brachytherapy is an essential component of the curative treatment of cervical cancer, a disease with high incidence in many developing countries The IAEA supports the use of high dose rate brachytherapy for centres with a large number of patients with this disease. HDR brachytherapy is also used in other common cancers such as breast cancer, lung, esophagus and prostate. This publication provides guidance to radiation oncologists, medical physicists and planners on establishing and operating a high dose rate brachytherapy unit with modern standards and presents the main issues to be addressed for its effective and safe operation.

Accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) is being rapidly introduced into the clinical management of early breast cancer. APBI, in fact, encompasses a number of different techniques and approaches that include brachytherapy, intraoperative, and external beam techniques. There is currently no single source that describes these techniques and their clinical implementation. This text is a concise handbook designed to assist the clinician in the implementation of APBI. This includes a review of the principles that underlie APBI, a practical and detailed description of each technique for APBI, a review of current clinical results of APBI, and a review of the incidence and management of treatment related complications.

Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has emerged as an important innovative treatment for various primary and metastatic cancers. This book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date account of the physical/technological, biological, and clinical aspects of SBRT. It will serve as a detailed resource for this rapidly developing treatment modality. The organ sites covered include lung, liver, spine, pancreas, prostate, adrenal, head and neck, and female reproductive tract. Retrospective studies and prospective clinical trials on SBRT for various organ sites from around the world are examined, and toxicities and normal tissue constraints are discussed. This book features unique insights from world-renowned experts in SBRT from North America, Asia, and Europe. It will be necessary reading for radiation oncologists, radiation oncology residents and fellows, medical physicists, medical physics residents, medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, and cancer scientists.

This text is organized into 6 sections: Fundamentals; Dosimetry; Interstitial Fundamentals; Interstitial Applications; Intercavitary Applications for Gynecological Cancer, and Unconventiional Delivery Systems. The book includes a CD-ROM containing an electronic version of the book (with many illustrations in full color) plus a compiled list of references.

Written by the foremost experts in the field, this volume is a comprehensive text and practical reference on contemporary brachytherapy. The book provides detailed, site-specific information on applications and techniques of brachytherapy in the head and neck, central nervous system, breast, thorax, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary tract, as well as on gynecologic brachytherapy, low dose rate and high dose rate sarcoma brachytherapy, vascular brachytherapy, and pediatric applications. The book thoroughly describes and compares the four major techniques used in brachytherapy—intracavity, interstitial, surface-dose or mold therapy, and transluminal. Chapters detail particular techniques that are appropriate in specific clinical situations.

Thoroughly revised and updated, the 2nd Edition presents all of the latest advances in the field, including the most recent technologies and techniques. For each tumor site discussed, readers will find unparalleled coverage of multiple treatment plans, histology and biology of the tumor, its anatomic location and routes of spread, and utilization of specialized techniques. This convenient source also reviews all of the basic principles that underlie the selection and application of radiation as a treatment modality, including radiobiology, radiation physics, immobilization and simulation, high dose rate, intraoperative irradation, and more. Comprehensively reviews each topic, with a distinct clinical orientation throughout. Serves as a foundation for the basic principles that underlie the selection and application of radiation as a treatment modality, including radiobiology, radiation physics, immobilization and simulation, high dose rate, intraoperative irradation, and more. Guides readers through all stages of treatment application with step-by-step techniques for the assessment and implementation of radiotherapeutic options. Presents latest information on brachytherapy * 3-dimensional conformal treatment planning * sterotactic radiosurgery * and radiolabeled antibodies. Discusses the recent use of radiotherapy in the treatment of primary lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, and cancers of the prostate and central nervous system. Includes the latest AJCC staging system guidelines. Offers the latest advances in techniques, allowing you to deliver doses precisely to areas affected by malignancy and spare healthy tissue. Presents new chapters on the hottest topics including Three Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy * Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy * Breathing Synchronized Radiotherapy * Plasma Cell Tumors: Multiple Myeloma and Solitary Plasmacytoma * Extracranial Stereotactic Radioablation * and [Imaging of the] Head and Neck * Thorax * Abdomen * and Pelvis.