JAPC - Radiation Oncology Physics: Current State-of-the-Art

Speaker: Prof. William Song, Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Technology and Medical Research, Center for Advanced Radiotherapy Technologies, Rebecca and John Moores Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego

Topic: "Radiation Oncology Physics: Current State-of-the-Art"

Time: 2:00 PM, Friday, April 17th, 2009

Place: P-148 (refreshments will be served at 1:45 PM in P145A)

Abstract: Radiation oncology is a dynamic and highly technologically demanding field. Each stage of the treatment process requires the use of state-of-the-art machines and the success of each stage are critically dependent on prior stages. This puts large demand on the accuracy and quality assurance of the machines, as well as is the driving force behind the development of newer, more safe and accurate devices. In this talk, I'll begin by describing the treatment flow and various technologies used at each stage. Then, I'll move on to introduce various different image-guidance technologies currently available as well as its use in the clinic, and the current research efforts. We, at UCSD, have been developing and evaluating various image-guidance techniques to aid in the treatment of lung cancer patients. Lung cancer patients are challenging to treat due to the tumor being inside the lung and continually moving. One solution to this problem is to scan patients with 4DCT and gate using the commercially available respiratory position management (RPM) system. However, as we have found out, there are many shortcomings to this technology and that will be presented also. In addition to this, I'll give a brief overview of proton radiotherapy, where it's at and where it is heading, since UCSD is planning to have proton radiotherapy facility built in few years.

Hosted by: Prof. Usha Sinha.

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