Ateneo - UPO

The course provides an overview of the main equipment used in radiation therapy and its role throughout the treatment pathway of oncology patients. Topics covered include the complete radiotherapy workflow, the operating principles of linear accelerators, simulation and imaging systems, and advanced radiation delivery techniques.

Balducci M, Cellini F, Cornacchione P, D'Angelillo R, Mattiucci GC, Pasini D. Elementi di radioterapia oncologica. Manuale per Tecnici sanitari di Radiologia Medica. Rome: Società Editrice Universo; 2013.Lecture slides.

Knowledge and Understanding (Dublin Descriptor 1)
By the end of the course, students will have acquired a solid understanding of the operating principles of the main equipment used in radiation oncology. They will also be able to understand the workflow, the role of the radiographer in radiotherapy, and the importance of effective communication with oncology patients.

Applying Knowledge and Understanding (Dublin Descriptor 2)
Students will be able to apply the knowledge acquired in radiological technologies to interpret and manage the operational procedures of a radiotherapy department, contributing appropriately to clinical and technical activities.

Making Judgements (Dublin Descriptor 3)
By the end of the training programme, students will be able to integrate knowledge from the different disciplines of the course, developing critical evaluation and problem-solving skills. They will be able to operate responsibly in compliance with regulations and good clinical practice.

Communication Skills (Dublin Descriptor 4)
Students will develop appropriate technical and scientific terminology and will be able to communicate effectively with healthcare team professionals and patients, acting in accordance with the competencies and responsibilities of their professional role.

Learning Skills (Dublin Descriptor 5)
By the end of the course, students will be able to independently integrate and further develop their knowledge of the technologies and procedures used in radiation therapy by consulting specialist textbooks, technical documentation, and scientific literature.

A basic knowledge of scientific disciplines is required, in addition to the prerequisite competencies provided by the study programme.

The course includes theoretical lectures held in the classroom and practical activities at the Radiation Oncology Department.

The lecturer is available to provide clarification regarding the study programme.

The assessment of learning consists of a questionnaire including both open-ended and multiple-choice questions, covering the radiotherapy topics addressed during the lectures.

Principles of radiation oncology.
Therapeutic objectives: radical, adjuvant, neoadjuvant, and palliative treatments.
Organisation of a radiation therapy service.
Professional roles involved and their responsibilities.

Clinical workflow: medical prescription, simulation, planning, plan verification, treatment delivery, follow-up, and documentation management.

CT simulation. Laser systems. Markers and reference systems. Patient positioning systems.

Linear accelerator (LINAC): operating principles, main components, waveguide, magnetron and klystron; modulator, cooling system, bending magnets, accelerator head, production of photon and electron beams, primary and secondary collimators. Multileaf collimator (MLC). Dose monitoring systems.

MR-Linac, Tomotherapy, Gamma Knife, CyberKnife.

Imaging systems in radiotherapy: 2D and 3D imaging, EPID portal imaging, Cone Beam CT (CBCT), kV and MV radiographs, Surface Guided Radiation Therapy (SGRT). Image fusion of CT, MRI, and PET.

Treatment planning systems (TPS). Dose Volume Histogram (DVH). Treatment verification.

Advanced treatment techniques: IMRT, VMAT, SBRT, SRS, Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), adaptive radiotherapy, respiratory gating, tumor tracking, Deep Inspiration Breath Hold.

Overview of specialised equipment: intraoperative radiotherapy, HDR and LDR brachytherapy systems, and proton therapy systems.

By the end of the course, students will be able to describe the operating principles of the main equipment used in radiation oncology, with particular reference to linear accelerators and integrated imaging systems; understand the stages of the radiotherapy process, from simulation to treatment planning and dose delivery; recognise the main treatment techniques (3D-CRT, IMRT, VMAT, IGRT, SBRT); understand the use of respiratory management techniques, such as Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH); use appropriate technical language to describe radiotherapy technologies and workflows; integrate theoretical knowledge to understand the organisation of a radiotherapy service.