The Physics of Modern Brachytherapy for Oncology

Written by leading experts in the physics, development, and implementation of brachytherapy, The Physics of Modern Brachytherapy for Oncology discusses the basic physics behind modern brachytherapy and addresses all practical issues, such as production, calibration, and dosimetry of sources. Beginning with fundamental atomic and nuclear physics, the book discusses the radionuclides used in brachytherapy, reflecting upon past (radium), present (iodine, palladium, iridium, or cobalt), and future (ytterbium or thulium) methods. It proceeds to examine source calibration and dosimetry protocols for dose rate calculation while the final chapters explore more recent processes, including Monte Carlo-aided, experimental, and gel dosimetry.