| CODE | RAD2207 | ||||||||||||||||
| TITLE | Reproductive System: Imaging, Pathology, Radiotherapy and Oncology | ||||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Radiography | ||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit will provide students with the knowledge and skills to perform imaging and radiotherapy techniques of the reproductive system. The following topics will be covered: Female Reproductive System: - Imaging of the female reproductive system and pelvic organs, to include Radiography; Fluoroscopy; Computerised Tomography (CT); Ultrasound (US); and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) advanced/modified procedures; - Oncology and radiotherapy technique of the uterus, vagina and ovaries; - Pregnancy and implications of radiotherapy; - Effects of radiation on the system; and - Radiation safety and patient care. Male Reproductive System: - Imaging techniques and modalities to image the male reproductive system and prostate: Radiography; Computerised Tomography (CT); Ultrasound (US); Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Nuclear Medicine (NM), advanced/modified procedures; - Oncology and radiotherapy technique of the prostate gland, penis and testes; - Spermatogenesis and relevance in the treatment of young men; - Effects of radiation on the system; and - Radiation safety and patient care. Study-unit Aims: The study-unit aims to: - Provide a learning situation which will enable the student to become proficient at performing diagnostically acceptable images of procedures related to imaging of the male and female reproductive system; - Foster good radiographic practice and ensure students are conversant with and employ safe working practices, particularly with regard to radiation safety; - Provide an understanding of the reasons for the imaging procedure and examinations required to demonstrate the male and female reproductive system; - Equip students with the knowledge and skills to be able to recognise pathologies and disease processes; - Provide an awareness of the feelings of patients and their behavior in the hospital environment; - Encourage students to keep up to date with current developments in medical imaging and radiotherapy; - Enable the student to understand the needs of the patient and the respect and care to be given in different circumstances; - Help students to understand the role of imaging modalities and radiotherapy treatment procedures; - Help students reflect on the factors that should be considered in choosing various treatment/s; - Enable students to discuss and evaluate advances in oncology and radiotherapy practice; - Help students discuss imaging of the male and female reproductive systems and prostate; - Enable students to evaluate management options and care of patients with such malignancies; - Empower students to demonstrate an awareness of the more complex external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy techniques and concepts; - Facilitate reflection on the factors that should be considered in choosing various treatment options for adult patients; - Enable students to discuss radiation and other safety aspects; and - Enable students to demonstrate effective care when imaging and treatment patients. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe the oncology for the male and female reproductive system and prostate; - Describe the appropriate radiotherapy technique for the above anatomical systems; - Describe the role of the radiographer in the overall care of patient presenting with a pathology/condition related to the reproductive system and prostate; - Describe how to correctly undertake imaging examinations of the male and female reproductive system and prostate, giving due consideration to: patient preparation, room preparation, selection of appropriate protocols and exposure factors, positioning of patient and imaging equipment and the application of radiation safety measures; - Identify and describe, using the correct anatomical terminology, the structure and orientation of relevant anatomical structures; - Discuss the evaluation criteria of the radiographic images produced; - Reflect on and discuss the potential impact the image quality may have on the patient’s management and care; - Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using different imaging modalities to diagnose pathologies; - Discuss the sensitivity and specificity of the various imaging modalities to specific clinical indications when imaging the male and female reproductive system and prostate; and - Make use of the appropriate radiation safety and other safety procedures. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe the clinical features and evaluate various management methods for malignant disease of the female reproductive system and male reproductive system; - Anticipate and facilitate coping mechanisms for the possible physical/psychological effects on the patient of the disease and side effects of the various treatment methods in order to offer the highest standards of care in both physical and psychological respects at all stages of the radiotherapy process; - Evaluate the radiotherapy techniques used to treat cancers of the female reproductive system and male reproductive system; - Demonstrate the skills and competencies to produce diagnostic images (under supervision) while providing for the physical and psychological needs of the patient; - Analyse the clinical request and justify the diagnostic examination; - Decide on the imaging technique to be performed in accordance with the request, clinical history, clinical indications and patient presentation; - Practice and apply correct positioning techniques for the patient, giving due consideration to the relationship between the patient and imaging equipment; - Practice application of radiation protection measures to ensure optimisation of dose and image quality; - Adapt and optimise imaging techniques to the needs of the individual patient; - Evaluate images and discuss the criteria for a good diagnostic image; - Identify radiographic anatomy and explain the appearance of all relevant bony and soft tissue structures, positioning errors and artifacts; - Identify pathologies and assess the need for further imaging or additional specialised imaging, based on these pathologies; - Analyse and solve problems that arise when performing imaging using appropriate guidelines and research evidence; and - Apply safety procedures. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main texts: - Barrett, A., Dobbs, J., Morris, S.L. & Roques, T. (2009) Practical Radiotherapy Planning. (4th edition). London: Hodder Arnold. - 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. - Hoskin, P. (editor) (2006) Radiotherapy in Practice: External Beam Radiotherapy. Oxford: Oxford University Press. - Martini, F.H., Bartholomew, E.F. & Welch, K. (2000) The Human Body in Health and Disease. London: Prentice Hall. - Neal, A.J. & Hoskin, P.J. (2009) Clinical Oncology. Basic Principles and Practice. (4th edition). London: Hodder Arnold. - Price, P., Sikora, K. & Illidge, T. (editors) (2008) Treatment of Cancer. (5th edition). London: Chapman & Hall Medical. - Royal College of Physicians (2007) The Effects of Cancer Treatment on Reproductive Functions. Guidance on Management. London. - Symonds, P. et al (editors) (2012) Walter and Miller’s Textbook of Radiotherapy. (7th edition). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. - Watson, M., Barrett, A., Spence, R. & Twelves, C. (2006) Oncology. (2nd edition). Oxford: Oxford University Press. - Waugh, A. & Grant, A. (2006) Ross and Wilson Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness. (10th edition). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Supplementary Texts: - Ellis, H., Logan, B.M. & Dixon, A.K. (2009) Human Sectional Anatomy: Pocket Book of Body Sections, CT and MRI Images. (3rd edition). London: Hodder Arnold. - Souhami, R. & Tobias, J. (2005) Cancer and its Management. (5th edition). Oxford: Blackwell Science. - Thibodeau, G. & Patton, K. (2007) Anatomy and Physiology. (6th edition – European edition) Missouri: Mosby Elsevier. - Wittekind, C., Greene, F.L., Hutter, R.P.V., Klimpfinger, M. & Sobin, L.H. (2005) TNM Atlas. (5th edition). Berlin: Springer. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Independent Study | ||||||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Paul Bezzina Karen Borg Grima Jose Guilherme Couto (Co-ord.) David Degiorgio Pierre Demicoli Susan Mercieca Natalino Carmelo Pennisi Lara Maria Sammut Francis Zarb |
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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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