Radiotherapy Physics

Period (from – till ): 5 February - 9 April 2025 (BMS_P3_A)
Course coordinator : Dr. B. van Asselen
Faculty
Dr C.P.J. Raaijmakers, UMC Utrecht/Imaging Division, lecturer
Dr B. van Asselen, UMC Utrecht/Imaging Division, lecturer
Dr. M.A. Moerland, UMC Utrecht/Imaging Division, lecturer
Dr.Ir. J.W.H. Wolthaus, UMC Utrecht/Imaging Division, lecturer
Dr. J.C.J. de Boer, UMC Utrecht/Imaging Division, lecturer
Dr. E. Seravalli, UMC Utrecht/Imaging Division, lecturer
Dr. S.L. Hackett, UMC Utrecht/Imaging Division, lecturer
Prof.dr. B.W. Raaymakers, UMC Utrecht/Imaging Division, lecturer
Renée Allebrandi, MA (course registration)

Course description This course covers practical and theoretical aspects on medical physics in the field of radiotherapy.

First the basic radiation physics will be discussed: e.g.
production of radiation, radioactive decay, characteristics of ionizing radiation, interaction with matter and measurement of absorbed dose.

The next part covers the essentials of dose calculation using various algorithms and dose optimization such as Intensity modulated therapy (IMRT) and volumetric arc therapy (VMAT).

Third topic is image guided radiotherapy (IGRT): e.g. inter- and intrafraction motion, position verification devices (electronic portal imaging device, cone-beam CT and MRI), real time imaging and various methods to deal with motion.

Finally topics in the field of MRI guided treatment will be discussed: e.g. dose delivery in magnetic fields, MRI linac design, workflow and plan adaptation.

Examination:

• Written exam: 80%; attendance to the practical work is obligatory to qualify for examination
• Oral presentation and discussion: 20%

The weights indicated above are applied to calculate the final mark. To pass the course the grade for each component must be a 5.0 or higher and the final mark must be an unrounded 5.5 or higher. (Anglo-Saxon grade mark D)

Literature/study material used:

• Khan’s the physics of radiation therapy, Khan, Faiz M, ISBN 9781451182453. (an electronic version of the book is available at the UU library)
• Hand-outs.
• Articles on specific topics

Details: https://mix.isi.uu.nl/courses/radiotherapy-physics/
Registration
You can register for this course via here on the Students' site.Mandatory
No

Optional for students in other GSLS Master’s programme:
No.

After completing the course the student understands:

1. the basics concepts of the linear accelerator and the generation of X-ray’s
2. the photon and electron interactions with matter important for radiotherapy
3. the physical aspects of photon beams
4. the principles of dosimetry
5. the concepts of clinically applied dose calculations algorithms and optimization algorithms
6. the concepts of IMRT and VMAT
7. the origin of geometrical uncertainties on various time scales
8. the various types of adaptive radiotherapy (offline, online and real time)
9. the effect of the magnetic field on the dose distribution
10. the effect of the magnetic field on the measurement
11. the need for MRI-only planning and fast dose calculation
12. the workflow needed for online MRI guided radiotherapy

You will be enrolled for this course by administration of the programme of this course.