Main description:

One of the best study guides for the Medical Dosimetry Certification Board (MDCB) exam is Govinda Rajan's book. Now the expanded second edition of this popular guide is even better, with twice as many questions as in the first edition. The guide focuses on the MDCB exam's "big three" areas of treatment planning, radiation physics, and dose calculation. Other sections of the study guide cover localization, brachytherapy, radiation protection, and quality assurance. Many questions include helpful full-color figures and detailed explanations from one of the world foremost authorities.

Contents:

I Radiation Physics 1
A. Radioactivity 1
B. Production of X-rays 6
C. Interaction of Radiation with Matter-Photons and Electrons 8
D. Treatment Machine Characteristics 12
E. Radiation Quantities, Units, and Measurements 23
II. Localization 65A. Treatment Planning Concepts 65
B. Acquisition of Patient Data 68
C. Patient Positioning and Immobilization 89
D. Ancillary Treatment Devices 94
E. Treatment Simulation and Verification 95
III. Treatment Planning, Techniques, and Delivery 127A. Treatment Planning Concepts 127
B. Photon Beam Isodose Curve Parameters 129
C. Photon Beam Isodose Distributions 132
D. Electron Beam Dose Distributions 134
E. Treatment Planning Systems 142
F. Radiobiology and Clinical Oncology 146
G. Treatment Techniques and Treatment Delivery 158
IV. Dose Calculation Methods 191A. Applied Mathematics 191
B. Beam Calibrations (Photon and Electron Beams) 197
C. Basic External Beam Calculations (Photon Beams) 209
D. Basic External Beam Calculations (Electron Beams) 257
E. Effects of Beam-modifying Devices 269
F. Irregular Field Calculations 279
G. Special Calculations 282
H. Corrections for Tissue Inhomogeneities and Surface Obliquities 289
V. Brachytherapy 333A. Basic Concepts 333
B. Brachytherapy Source Characteristics 338
C. Dose Distributions 346
D. Dose Calculations 352
E. Source Localization 354
F. Interstitial Dosimetry 359
G. Intracavitary Therapy Dosimetry 372
VI. Radiation Protection 391A. General Radiation Protection 392
B. Maximum Permissible Dose Equivalent (Dose and Dose Limits) 395
C. Time, Distance, and Shielding (and ALARA Concepts) 397
D. Brachytherapy Source Handling and Storage 399
E. Structural Shielding 404
F. Radiation Monitoring 410
VII. Quality Assurance 427A. Treatment Delivery Equipment (External Beam Therapy and Brachytherapy) 427
B. Imaging Systems for Treatment Planning 441
C. Treatment Planning System (TPS) 447
D. Record and Verify Systems 451
E. QA in Advanced Treatment Techniques 452
F. Display Monitor QA 459
G. Measurement Equipment 461