Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE RAD1063

 
TITLE Radiotherapy and Oncology: Introduction

 
UM LEVEL 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Radiography

 
DESCRIPTION The study-unit will provide the student with an introduction to radiotherapy and oncology and will include the following topics;

1. Introduction to Oncology:
Introduction to cancer biology, classification of tumours, histology, grading and staging and routes of spread.

2. Aetiology and Epidemiology:
Role of epidemiology in developing an understanding of cancer and provision of appropriate services. Identification of common risk factors associated with cancer and how this influences health promotion.

3. Investigations in Oncology:
The role of investigations in the diagnosis and management of cancer including: imaging, clinical, haematological, biochemical, microbiological, physiological measurement and biopsy.

4. Management of Cancer:
Aims of cancer treatment; radical, adjuvant, concurrent and palliative; Role of different treatment options in the management of cancer to include: surgery, radiotherapy, systemic therapies such as cytotoxic chemotherapy, biological therapies and hormone therapies; Selecting the appropriate treatment for the patient and importance of informed consent.

5. Radiotherapy Treatment:
Introduction to different radiotherapy techniques: Brachytherapy, External beam radiotherapy and radionuclide treatment; Introduction to radiobiology and types of fractionation; Introduction to the Radiotherapy Treatment pathway, including:
- Immobilisation Techniques;
- Localisation;
- Dosimetry;
- Treatment verification and delivery.

Study-Unit Aims:

The aims of the study-unit are to:

- Introduce the student to the principles that underpin radiotherapy practice. This will include an understanding of the oncology principles;
- Introduce the students to the radiotherapy pathway from the investigations until the patient leaves the radiotherapy department. Emphasis is given to the Radiotherapy process, detailing on the tasks performed at different stages of the pathway: mouldroom, immobilisation, localisation, planning, image verification and delivery of treatment; and
- Assist students with understanding the different treatment modalities for cancer and their general indications, including the different radiotherapy techniques available.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Define the role of epidemiological data in the aetiology and prevention of cancer;
- Explain the principles of oncology and treatment modalities used for cancer treatment;
- Describe the radiotherapy process;
- Explain the principles of radiobiology applied to radiotherapy;
- Explain the reasoning behind fractionation;
- Distinguish between the different radiotherapy modalities and techniques;
- Justify the use of CT for radiotherapy treatment planning;
- Explain the principles underpinning computerized treatment planing systems;
- Explain the use of data transfer systems in the radiotherapy department; and
- Explain the setup and image verification procedures prior to delivery of radiotherapy.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Identify appropriate investigations to diagnose cancer and evaluate treatment outcome;
- Justify the general use of the different treatment modalities;
- Select the appropriate immobilisation technique for radiotherapy;
- Classify fractionation schemes according to the dose per fraction;
- Identify beam parameters and accessories that can be manipulated to achieve dose optimisation;
- Perform a plan evaluation following a local protocol and ICRU guidelines; and
- Justify the use of imaging for verification of setup.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Beyzadeoglu, M., Ozyigit, G., & Ebruli, C. (2010). Basic Radiation Oncology. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
- Symonds, P. et al. (editors) (2012) Walter and Miller’s Textbook of Radiotherapy. (7th edition). Elsevier.

Supplementary Readings:

- Faithfull, S. & Wells, M. (editors) (2003) Supportive Care in Radiotherapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
- Hanna L., Crosby T. & Macbeth. F. (editors) (2008) Practical Clinical Oncology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Health and Care Professions Council (2013) Standards of Proficiency. Radiographers. London: Health Professions Council.
- Hoskin, P. (editor) (2012) Radiotherapy in Practice: External Beam Radiotherapy. 2nd Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- National Radiotherapy Advisory Group (2007) Radiotherapy: developing a world class service for England. Report to Ministers from National Radiotherapy Advisory Group.
- The Royal College of Radiologists, Society and College of Radiographers, Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine, National Patient Safety Agency, British Institute of Radiology. (2008) Towards Safer Radiotherapy. London: The Royal College of Radiologists.
- Watson, M., Barrett, A., Spence, R. & Twelves, C. (2006) Oncology. (2nd edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Rubin; John T. Hansen (2012). TNM Staging Atlas with Oncoanatomy, Second Edition.

This list is not exhaustive. Students may also wish to use radiotherapy/oncology based journals.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Independent Study & Tutorial

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Examination (2 Hours) SEM2 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S Susan Mercieca (Co-ord.)

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2024/5. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

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