Técnicas de Terapia com Radiação

Objectives

This curricular unit intends to convey the importance, the basic elements and the methods of the utilization of ionizing radiation in the treatment of oncological and other pathologies. Students should acquire basic knowledge in physical dosimetry and treatment planning, identify the role of medical image in therapy and understand the main characteristics of the equipment involved. It is intended that students reach a comprehensive perspective on the various modalities of therapy currently used and information on specific or emerging applications. Students should gain sensitivity about the risks and the importance of quality and safety assurance, and understand the responsibility of Medical Physics in the different aspects of the process of clinical administration of radiation.

Syllabus

1.1. The role of ionizing radiation therapy in health and of medical physics in therapy 1.2. Fundaments of clinical radiobiology 1.3. Principles of physics and radiation dosimetry 2. External radiation therapy 2.1. Treatment process 2.2. Equipment 2.3. Dosimetry of clinical accelerator beams 2.4. Computerized image and planning 2.5. Examples of clinical applications 2.6. Special techniques 2.7. Quality and safety 3. Brachytherapy 3.1. Physical and clinical aspects 3.2. Equipment and techniques 3.3. Physical dosimetry 3.4. Image, prescription and dose calculation 3.5. Examples of clinical applications 3.6. Quality and safety 4. Nuclear Medicine Therapies 4.1. Physical and clinical aspects; 4.2. Radiopharmaceuticals for systemic radiation therapy 4.3. Theranostics 4.4. Radioimmunotherapy 4.5. Radioactive labeling and quality control 4.6. Regulatory aspects 4.7. Future trends

Cross Competence Component

The Curricular Unit (UC) will contribute to the development of interpersonal and intrapersonal skills (eg organizational capacity and team work), namely through laboratory classes. The necessary context will be given for students to perceive the impact of the UC content on society, economy and science. The importance of the proper regulatory framework and education policies, training and security will be discussed in order to stimulate the appreciation of the international and national panorama. It is estimated that the transversal skills component contributes about 20% to the evaluation of students.

Laboratorial Component

In laboratory classes students will apply the knowledge acquired in theoretical classes tconcerning physical and clinical dosimetry, and perform experimental work with radiopharmaceuticals. It is foreseen that supervised experimental activities or demonstrations will be in carried out in clinical environment.

Programming And Computing Component

Laboratory classes include the use of computerized planning systems.

Ethical Principles

All members of a group are responsible for the group's work. In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose and help received and sources used. In any oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.