Linear Accelerators for Radiation Therapy, Second Edition (Series in Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering) [Paperback]

David Greene (Author), P.C Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0750304766 | ISBN-13: 978-0750304764 | Edition: 2

Linear Accelerators for Radiation Therapy, Second Edition focuses on the fundamentals of accelerator systems, explaining the underlying physics and the different features of these systems. This edition includes expanded sections on the treatment head, on x-ray production via multileaf and dynamic collimation for the production of wedged and other intensity modulated beams, on electron scattering systems, and on dosimetry. With high-quality illustrations and practical examples throughout, it contains a detailed description of electron beam optics and linear accelerator components. The final chapter explains how to use other equipment, such as scanners and simulators, in conjunction with linear accelerators for optimum treatment of cancers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 286 pages
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis; 2 edition (January 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0750304766
• ISBN-13: 978-0750304764
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #374,118 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Everything you ever wanted to know about linacs but..., December 13, 2001

By 

Mark McJury PhD (Sheffield UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linear Accelerators for Radiation Therapy, Second Edition (Series in Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering) (Paperback)

This book is a comprehensive introduction to the principles and technology of linear accelerators (linacs) used in radiation therapy.
Following a brief overview of the components of a typical linac, each subsequent chapter deals in detail with one component or part of the process of generating clinically useful photon and electron beams.
Chapters cover electron acceleration processes, production and transport of electron beams, beam shaping and steering, and generation and control of microwave power sources. Topics such as commissioning, radiation protection and maintenance are also described in full. The use of the linac is also put into context by inclusion of chapters on the treatment simulation process and treatment verification. Specialised and developing technology of interest such as dynamic collimation and electronic portal imaging are also described.
The book is written with the graduate physicist and medical physicist in mind. However, its presentation style is non-mathematical, so associated workers in radiation oncology such as radiotherapists and oncologists should not be daunted by this book. It is well written with helpful figures throughout. It offers good value for money, particularly being available in softcover. The authors are well known and respected physicists in the UK medical physics community.
The book, it should be stressed, is an introductory text and so some topics, such as multi-leaf collimation and electronic portal imaging, receive perhaps a slightly more brief mention than some might wish. The book also suffers a little from a lack of coverage of state-of-the-art techniques, such as dynamic multi-leaf collimation for intensity modulated radiotherapy.
This is one of only a handful of such texts on this topic. Overall, it represents a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the physics and engineering of linear accelerators and is recommended for the bookshelf of anyone involved in the technical aspects of radiation therapy with linacs.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book for novices, November 11, 2009

By 

Jonas Jasulaitis (Kaunas, Lithuania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Linear Accelerators for Radiation Therapy, Second Edition (Series in Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering) (Paperback)

I would say it is a good introductory book which covers the basic principles of operation of the linacs. I found interesting some comparison and differences of techniques used by various manufacturers (e.g Varian and Elekta). Text is clear, easy to read. However this book is more than 10 years old thus don't expect to find any of the state-of-the-art technologies here.