Principles of radiologic physics, dosimetry, and treatment planning

A solid foundation in the principles of radiologic physics, dosimetry, and treatment planning is essential for the practice of radiation oncology. In this chapter, the authors consider several topics that lay the foundation for the material covered other chapters. Among the topics discussed here are atomic and nuclear structure; the production of x-rays; radioactivity; the interaction of x-rays with matter; radiation therapy treatment machines; the measurement of radiation exposure; the determination of absorbed dose; and definitions of various dosimetry parameters, such as percentage depth dose and tissue-air ratio. This chapter also discusses basic concepts used in calculations of dose and the standard correction methods used to account for air gaps and tissue inhomogeneities