Radiotherapy Physics in Medical Physics

Radiotherapy Physics treats 1,400 new cancer patients a year. It is equipped with a full range of external beam radiotherapy and Brachytherapy treatment facilities.

We have seven Radiotherapy Physicists, supported by five Medical Physics Technologists and have responsibilities for the areas of:

• radiation dosimetry
• quality control
• treatment planning
• software control
• radiation protection
• commissioning of equipment
• training

External beam radiotherapy is provided by three Varian Linear Accelerators (2100CD and 2x Clinac iX). All are dual-energy, dual-modality units, producing X-ray beams with energies of 6 and 10 MV and electron beams with a range of energies between 6 and 20 MeV. The three machines are equipped with Multileaf Collimators and two have MV and KV imaging systems on board.

We perform regular quality control checks and planned maintenance inspections on all units to ensure the prescribed dose to the patient is delivered accurately. All radiation dosimetry measurements are traceable back to the national standard at the National Physical Laboratory in Teddington.

A treatment plan is produced for all patients. Most will require a detailed plan produced using state of the art RayStation 3D Computerised Treatment Planning System with IMRT, Arc Therapy, Biological optimisation and Adaptive planning capability. The planning process is aided by the use of a Toshiba CT scanner and Elekta Simulix Simulator. These are used to localise the volume to be treated within the patient and to verify the plan produced. The Treatment Units, Simulator and Treatment Planning System are linked to Aria patient management and patient verification system. Treatment is also supported by a Mould Room service, which produces beam direction / patient immobilisation devices.

Brachytherapy treatment for gynaecological tumours is delivered by GammaMedPlus Pulsed Dose Rate(PDR) after loading.

We are fully involved in the procurement, evaluation, installation and commissioning of all treatment units and planning systems, which are replaced on a rolling programme. 

Teaching and Training

We take part in the teaching and training for both the Departments of Radiotherapy and Medical Physics, including placements for the Scottish Physicist Training Scheme.

We supervise projects for the University of Dundee and teach nurses, radiographers and medical staff as required. The Department of Medical Physics encourages its staff to participate in the IPEM CPD Scheme.