Total Body Irradiation (TBI)
Total body irradiation is often used in bone marrow transplantation. This procedure may be considered
as an x-ray bath and aids in the transplant process. In this procedure the medical physicist must carefully
take into account the patent’s thickness, size, shape, and treatment position. This information is used by
the medical physicist to design custom shielding to protect vital organs, and to determine how long the
beam should remain "on" to deliver the dose prescribed by your radiation oncologist.
Total Skin Irradiation (TSI)
There are few conditions that require a radiation oncologist to irradiate a patient’s entire skin surface.
The most common entity is cutaneous lymphoma or mycosis fungoides. This disease entity involves
malignant lymphocytes that have a propensity for lodging in the patient’s skin and causing tremendous
discomfort with agonising itching and generalised skin irritation. This particular disease does not
respond well to chemotherapy. In contrast, it is readily sensitive to radiation therapy.
Mycosis Fungoides presents several distinct problems that require significant attention to detail. The
desire is to treat the skin surface and not damage underlying organs and tissue. For this we use a type of
radiation called electrons. They have the unique property of traveling only a short distance in tissue.
This creates several inherent problems. Skin or other structures shield much of one’s skin surface. For
example, the region between the thighs, perianal regions, bilateral axillae and soles of the feet are
normally shielded. Multiple mini radiation detection devices called TLDs are placed on the skin to allow
us to accurately measure the radiation dose to multiple sites. Those sites underdosed can be given a
small boost of radiation to ensure all areas receive the prescribed dose of radiation therapy.
Who’s who in radiation therapy
Medical Physicist
Medical physicist is a health care professional. He/she is responsible for developing and maintaining
physics support in the practice in medicine. In particular, medical physicists work mostly in the radiation
oncology, x-ray and nuclear medicine departments where they perform quality assurance work on
equipment and radioactive materials used and the procedures of diagnostic and therapy deliveries.
Radiation Oncologist
A radiation oncologist is a physician trained in the treatment of cancer with radiation. He/she is the
person in charge of your treatment and follow-up and responsible to answer any concerns you may have
about your care. Oncology residents, who are physicians in training, also may participate in your care
under the direct supervision of your radiation oncologist.
Oncology Nursing
The radiation oncology nurses, with special backgrounds in all aspects of cancer care, provide a full
array of nursing services, including emotional and physical support. They provide ongoing clinical
supervision to support all patients undergoing therapy. The nurses are also involved in research projects
and the development of educational groups to assist the patient as they undergo treatment.
Radiographers
Radiographers administer the daily radiation treatments and working under your oncologist's
prescription or treatment plan. Some radiographers also perform simulation and treatment planning.
Support Services
 |
 |
 |