Written by the foremost experts in the field, this volume is a comprehensive text and practical reference on contemporary brachytherapy. The book provides detailed, site-specific information on applications and techniques of brachytherapy in the head and neck, central nervous system, breast, thorax, gastrointestinal tract, and genitourinary tract, as well as on gynecologic brachytherapy, low dose rate and high dose rate sarcoma brachytherapy, vascular brachytherapy, and pediatric applications. The book thoroughly describes and compares the four major techniques used in brachytherapy—intracavity, interstitial, surface-dose or mold therapy, and transluminal. Chapters detail particular techniques that are appropriate in specific clinical situations.

This book reports the majority of lectures given during the NATO Advanced Study Institute ASI-982996, which was held at the European Scientific Institute of Archamps (ESI, Archamps – France) from November 15 to November 27, 2007. The ASI course was structured in two parts: the first was dedicated to what is often called “teletherapy”, i. e. radiotherapy with external beams, while the second focused on internal radiotherapy, also called “brachytherapy” or “curietherapy” in honour of Madame Curie who initiated the technique about a century ago. This ASI took place after the European School of Medical Physics, which devoted a 3 week period to medical imaging, a subject complementary to the topics of this book. Courses devoted to nuclear medicine and digital imaging techniques are collected in two volumes of the NATO Science Series entitled “Physics for Medical Imaging Applications” (ISBN 978-1-4020-5650-5) and “Molecular imaging: computer reconstruction and practice” (ISBN 978-1-4020- 8751-6). Every year in autumn ESI organises the European School of Medical Physics, which covers a large spectrum of topics ranging from Medical Imaging to Radiotherapy, over a period of 5 weeks. Thanks to the Cooperative Science and Technology sub-programme of the NATO Science Division, weeks four and five were replaced this year by the ASI course dedicated to “Physics of Modern Radiotherapy & Brachytherapy”. This allowed the participation of experts and students from 20 different countries, with diverse cultural background and p- fessional experience.

Prostate brachytherapy (transperineal interstitial implantation of the prostate with either permanent or temporary radioactive sources) has evolved into a sophisticated and definitive treatment modality, used either as monotherapy or in combination with external beam radiation therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer. This popular form of therapy is frequently integrated with neoadjuvant and/or concurrent androgen suppression therapy in the intermediate and advanced risk patient. This book covers both basic and advanced techniques for prostate brachytherapy and is appropriate for the practitioner who is anticipating or currently performing permanent radioactive seed implants. A partial list of topics includes: patient selection, equipment decisions, treatment planning, operative technique, post-implant evaluation, management of acute/long term treatment and follow-up after implant. The accompanying CD-ROM, with video clips, is an invaluable teaching tool. Basic and Advanced Techniques in Prostate Brachytherapy is for practitioners of prostate brachytherapy-urologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and medical physicists.

Achieving Quality in Brachytherapy addresses the main issues that often prevent correct delivery of brachytherapy treatment. The book explains how to set up a functional quality assurance program in brachytherapy and covers all the steps needed to undertake particular treatment plans, from the initial planning required to the detailed specification. It highlights the importance of planning as a means of controlling and dealing with errors during the treatment process and advises on what to check and how to check during treatment to ensure effective quality assurance. This comprehensive reference is ideal for professionals working in brachytherapy, physics, and radiation oncology, and serves as an introduction for trainees with an undergraduate degree in medical physics or clinical radiation oncology.

This book provides practical guidance on the use of brachytherapy. Each chapter gives the reader a solid background in the physics and dosimetry of the technique, followed by practical information on its use in common disease sites.

The only comprehensive guide to the latest knowledge and techniques in brachytherapy Since the first edition was published in 2006, Phillip M. Devlinís Brachytherapy has been acknowledged as the essential book on the practice. Inthis updated new edition, all chapters covering cancer sites have been significantly revised. Organized for specialists in several fields, Brachytherapy contains site-specific chapters that discuss how the evolving role of advanced image guidance has demonstrated greater efficacy and less toxicity. Clinical vignettes with images now accompany all site-specific chapters. The chapter on prostate brachytherapy has been expanded to include other indications in the genitourinary system, and there are two entirely new chaptersóone chronicling the history of brachytherapy and the other detailing the emergence of skin brachytherapy. Dr. Devlin, a leading world authority on brachytherapy, has assembled other leaders in the field from world-renowned radiation oncology programs to enrichthis comprehensive text. From new data on medical outcomes to the costs and benefits of running a brachytherapy practice, Brachytherapy, Second Edition is the first and last word on what still is considered the most conformal radiotherapy technique in the field. In the new edition: Over 300 images accompany the chapter text and clinical vignettes Essential tables and spreadsheets enhance the chapter on running a brachytherapy practice Ten years of technological advancements are assimilated and reviewed in each site-specific chapter Includes access to the fully-searchable downloadable ebook From the Foreword: ìAs education is essential to advance awareness of and proficiency in the full spectrum of brachytherapy applications, the appearance of the second edition of this highly regarded text is both a timely and most welcome event. The distinguished list of contributors to this work reads like a veritable ìWhoís Whoî of international brachytherapy expertise making this an indispensable resource for students and practitioners of this complex and challenging modality[Ö]A particularly welcome feature is the clinical vignettes at the close of every chapter that bring seemingly remote concepts to life in real world practical applications[Ö]With the second edition of Brachytherapy: Applications and Techniques, Dr. Devlin and colleagues give us a text that instills a profound appreciation for the critical value of this essential modality. This book makes it clear that brachytherapy not only works, it is an irreplaceable component of contemporary cancer care.î --David Wazer, MD, FACRO, FACR, FASTRO, Professor and Chairman, Departments of Radiation Oncology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI

This book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of major technical advances and research findings in the field of brachytherapy. Especially research conducted on brachytherapy in Japan has made tremendous strides, offering readers valuable insights into new treatment outcomes, evidence and techniques. In the respective chapters, each author elucidates cutting-edge findings, addressing both the basic and clinical aspects including the application to various cancers, and especially focusing on highly valuable data gleaned in Japan. As such, the book will benefit not only radiation oncologists but also basic researchers, radiation technologists, medical physicists and members of medical staff who are involved in the development and utilization of this advanced therapy.

This volume is the first truly international text to take the practitioner from the history, the physical basis, and the rationale of brachytherapy through to the techniques, the results, and the management of complications. It is also the first truly comprehensive and complete textbook of brachytherapy. The chapters on the physics of brachytherapy and the technical planning of internal and surface radiotherapy are designed to enhance the practitioner’s knowledge base and capabilities in this demanding specialty field. Disease site-specific chapters cover a wide range of applications, including ocular tumors, soft tissue sarcomas, cancers of the head and neck, skin, breast, lung, esophagus, and prostate, and gynecologic and anorectal malignancies. Each chapter incorporates the American and European guidelines and the text has been written from both perspectives by many of the most noted global experts in the field. A concluding chapter is devoted to brachytherapy quality assurance.

Modern brachytherapy is one of the most important oncological treatment modalities requiring an integrated approach that utilizes new technologies, advanced clinical imaging facilities, and a thorough understanding of the radiobiological effects on different tissues, the principles of physics, dosimetry techniques and protocols, and clinical expertise. A complete overview of the field, Comprehensive Brachytherapy: Physical and Clinical Aspects is a landmark publication, presenting a detailed account of the underlying physics, design, and implementation of the techniques, along with practical guidance for practitioners. Bridging the gap between research and application, this single source brings together the technological basis, radiation dosimetry, quality assurance, and fundamentals of brachytherapy. In addition, it presents discussion of the most recent clinical practice in brachytherapy including prostate, gynecology, breast, and other clinical treatment sites. Along with exploring new clinical protocols, it discusses major advances in imaging, robotics, dosimetry, Monte Carlo-based dose calculation, and optimization.

Brachytherapy is continuously advancing. Years of accumulated experience have led to clinical evidence of its benefit in numerous clinical sites such as gynecological, prostate, breast, rectum, ocular, and many other cancers. Brachytherapy continues to expand in its scope of practice and complexity, driven by strong academic and commercial research, by advances in competing modalities, and due to the diversity in the political and economic landscape. It is a true challenge for practicing professionals and students to readily grasp the overarching trends of the field, especially of those technologies and innovative practices that are not yet established but are certainly on the rise. Addressing this challenge, Emerging Technologies in Brachytherapy presents a comprehensive collection of chapters on the latest trending/emerging technologies and expert opinions. It is divided into five broad sections: Section I: Physics of Brachytherapy Section II: Imaging for Brachytherapy Guidance Section III: Brachytherapy Suites Section IV: Is Brachytherapy a Competitive Modality? Section V: Vision 20/20: Industry Perspective Each section has a carefully selected collection of chapters, which covers the spectrum of topics in comprehensive detail. By drawing on recognized experts and key opinion leaders from academia and commercial sectors worldwide (100+ contributors), Emerging Technologies in Brachytherapy provides readers with a wealth of relevant information needed to comprehend the rapidly advancing technologies and trends of today and the prospects for the future.