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Title

IMRT: Introduction to Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (1.5 credit hours)

Abstract

IMRT is a technique to deliver conformal dose distributions to tumor volumes while sparing normal tissues. This modulation, or variation of the delivered dose distribution is much more complex than can be achieved using traditional custom blocks, wedges or missing tissue compensators. Topics in this module include equipment requirements; anatomy contouring, target delineation and normal tissues anatomy contouring; and patient-specific quality control. Treatment planning systems, including forward planning and inverse planning techniques are discussed. Course Approval Expiration/End Date: December 1, 2009 Category A Credits

This activity may be available in multiple formats or from different sponsors. The ARRT does not allow CE activities such as internet courses, home study programs or directed readings to be repeated for CE credit in the same or any subsequent biennium.

Author

Gary Poteat, MS, DABR

As a Senior Medical Physicist, Gary Poteat oversees treatment planning and monitor unit calculations on several thousand treatment fields every year. Gary has almost 30 years of experience in providing instruction in radiation safety and medical physics. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Radiology in Therapeutic Radiological Physics and a member of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Objectives

After completion of the module the student will be able to:

State the goal of IMRT
Define relevant terms and know their significance to IMRT
Know and explain the purposes of the components of an IMRT system
List four factors affecting IMRT treatment quality
Compare and contrast dynamic and segmental MLC IMRT
Compare and contrast "inverse" to "forward" treatment planning
List the steps in the optimization process
Explain why immobilization is more important for IMRT patients then conventional patients
State why complete and accurate anatomy contouring is essential for IMRT
Define factors and terms relevant to accurate contouring and target delineation
Know the methods and steps of patient QC

Resources

Ezzell GA, et al. Guidance document on delivery, treatment planning, and clinical implementation of IMRT: Report of the IMRT subcommittee of the AAPM Radiation Therapy Committee. Med Phys 2003;30:2089-2115.

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy Collaborative Working Group. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy: Current status and issues of interest. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol., Phys. 2001;51:880-914.

Wang X, Spirou S, LoSasso T, Stein J, Chui CS, Mohan B. Dosimetric verification of intensity-modulated fields. Med Phys 1996;23:317-327.

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