I
Implant: refers to the placement of radioactive sources within the body.
Intra-operative: refers to radiation treatment delivered while the patient is undergoing surgery.
Interstitial: relating to the spaces within an organ or tissue. Refers to the placement of radioactive
sources within the tissues of the body. i.e., breast, tongue, lip, brain prostate. In contrast to intracavitary
Intracavitary: Within a body cavity. Refers to the placement of radioactive sources within a body
cavity. i.e., cervix, uterus, esophagus. In contrast to interstitial
Iodine: an element made' radioactive and used in Brachytherapy. A non-radioactive form of this
element may be used as a radiographic contrast agent during simulation to visualise specific organs.
Iridium: an element made radioactive for the use in Brachytherapy.
L
Linear Accelerator: a teletherapy machine that produces radiation by moving particles very rapidly
(accelerating) along a straight path (linear) and then hitting a target. Linear accelerators are
manufactures with the capability of having either a single energy or a dual energy. The higher the
energy, the deeper the beam reaches inside the body.
M
Mantle: specialised radiation treatment field to the chest in which the chest and neck lymph system is
treated and the other areas are spared by blocks.
MRI: Magnetic resonance image. a special diagnostic image taken by an "MRI" scanner that takes
"slices" of a body part
P
Photon Treatment: a form of radiation therapy in which the radiation oncologist selects a specific
radiation energy appropriate for the patient's body size and depth of the tumour(the higher the energy the
deeper the beam reaches inside the body. Contrary to electron treatment, photon treatment deposits a
radiation dose above and below the tumour site.
Physicist: the radiation oncology health professional whose primary duty is to oversee the quality
assurance aspect of a patient's treatment. Some duties may include calibration and overseeing of the
radiation equipment and overseeing charting.
Port Film: a radiographic image captured on film that shows the prescribed treatment area (port). A port
film is different form an X-Ray in that a port film is taken for the purpose of a record of the body site
treated with radiation and is generally not used as a diagnostic tool.
R
Radiation Oncologist: the radiation oncology health professional who is a physician who prescribes
and oversees a course of radiation therapy.
Radiographer: the radiation oncology health professional who carries out the radiation prescription by
using a radiation machine. Some radiographers also perform treatment simulations and planning.
Remote Afterloading: refers to Brachytherapy delivered by loading the radioactive sources into the
patient form a remote location.
Ribbons: refers to the temporary interstitial placement of radioactive elements.
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