Fundamental role of medical physics in Radiation Therapy

During commissioning of any radiotherapy treatment machine, Cobalt 60 or Modern linear accelerator for clinical and research purposes, medical physicists are faced with many challenges. This ranges from a variety of scientific testing methods, setting of highest precision, data accuracy and conformity with international guidelines of radiotherapy during treatment planning. Medical physicist is generally tasked with ensuring clinical data are accurate and the treatment planning conforms to ICRP recommendations. Modern linear accelerator is a device which produces high energy X rays and sometimes electron beams equipped with multi-leaf collimator (MLC) used as blocking device and most commonly used for high precision external beam radiation treatment for patients with cancer. The foundation of radiotherapy is based on interaction between matter and radiation (energy). During such interaction ionization is produced. When cells get ionized, radiation burned, breaking of DNA occurs hence they die. Thus interaction of radiation with matter translates the science of radiation physics into clinical treatment of cancer. The production of X-rays using sophisticated devices like Linac is very interesting and provides a useful tool for clinical applications. With advancement in technology, there is need to have expertise that would assure the facility and public that quality is achieved. This presentation attempts to link physics to medicine and further the role of physicist in radiotherapy. (Author)