Radiotherapeutic Technology

We will run simulations on a variety of irradiation ways using a radiation treatment planning (RTP) device. Radiation therapy is one of three main treatment modalities for cancer, together with surgery and chemotherapy.
There are four major steps to accomplish cancer/radiation treatments:
1.Diagnose the cancer and appreciate its spread,
2.Select effective and useful treatment modalities for the patient,
3.Select the best way to irradiate the cancer, if a radiation therapy is indicated,
4.Deliver radiation treatments accurately as planned, using high-energy x-ray and/or electron beams.
The third step, called RTP process, is done by simulations using the RTP device, which is a dose-calculation computer with three-dimensional displays of human body images (mainly computed tomography: CT).

The following are the especially important points in the RTP process:
・Irradiate only where it’s necessary, that is, the cancer,
・Avoid unnecessary irradiation to the nearby normal tissues and organs.
Thanks to the progress of computer and medical imaging technologies, radiation treatment techniques have dramatically improved.
You will learn actual applications of radiation treatments through exercises of various patterns of simulations with the guidance of three-dimensional images.

last updated: June 20, 2006