• Fundamentals of Radiation Oncology

    Edited by Hasan Murshed

    Who Is This Book For?

    • Research Scientists
    • Radiation Oncologists
    • Radiation Oncology Educators
    • Radiation Oncology Nurses
    • Medical Physicists
    • Medical Libraries
    • Dosimetrists
    • Radiation Oncology Residents
    • Radiation Oncology Students

    The book is structured for easy use

    • Logical organization of information
    • Evidence-based information is provided
    • Essential updates are provided
    • Written as a quick reference
    • Expanded coverage given to growing areas
    • Contains over 450 high-quality, full-color images, charts, and graphs

    This latest edition, Fundamentals of Radiation Oncology, (Published by Academic Press, A Division Of Elsevier Press, May 2025), an Amazon best-seller, is shorter and easier to digest than a textbook, but more in-depth than a study guide. It is the most current and up-to-date book of its kind.

    It presents the essential and digestible elements of radiation oncology into four major sections, which are broken down into 28 succinct chapters that cover the most essential and important areas of radiation oncology. This is the 20th year anniversary edition and it is one of the longest-running publications on this area of expertise. It is the product of scores of contributors that consists of leading medical doctors and scientific experts internationally.

    Over two million Americans will be diagnosed with cancer this year. This can only happen when the trained professionals catch it.

    It is also estimated that 10-28% of all cancer cases are misdiagnosed, from receiving incorrect or delayed diagnoses, which impacts treatment determinations and outcomes.

    Hundreds of thousands of deaths come annually as a result of medical error, though not all specifically for those with cancer.

    When we can’t afford to get it wrong, this book is an invaluable resource. The field of radiation oncology has made significant advances recently. This book covers many changes in technology, breakthrough treatments, and the newest scientific guidelines.

    - Once discovered, how will each case of cancer be treated?

    - How do we make sure a misdiagnosis of cancer does not occur?

    - How do you avoid medical errors and ensure the proper and timely treatment of patients?

    - How do those entering this field find a way to quickly grasp what needs to be known in order to ensure the right steps are being taken to diagnose and treat the patient?

    - How do professionals with years of experience keep up with the recent developments in new radiotherapy techniques and their applications?

    Succinct and Informative – It is a fundamental hybrid with more details than a study guide, but is less cumbersome than a textbook.

    Provides A Solid Framework – The latest, up-to-date information is at your fingertips.

    Summarizes The Main Body Of Basic Science And Clinical Knowledge In Radiation Oncology – Provides a highly readable, well-organized, and easy-to-understand format.

    Covers Core Fundamentals – Helps navigate your workflow with speed and efficiency, so you can diagnose, stage, recommend and prescribe treatments, and identify side effects with improved accuracy.

    Specially Designed – Helps you navigate evolving treatment protocols, incorporate new technologies, and streamline planning and delivery. It bridges clinical and technical gaps for MDs, residents, and physicists in one single resource for radiation oncology.

    Simplifies The Complexities Of Real-Life Situations Found In A Daily Practice

    Written By Scores Of Leading International Field Experts From Multiple Disciplines

    Edited By A Radiation Oncologist – With two decades of experience in treating 10,000 individual cancer patients

    Comprehensive Yet Accessible Content – A clear, structured resource ideal for trainees and clinicians, offering practical foundations in radiation oncology.

    Updated Information For The Modern Practice – Covers the latest technologies like IGRT, SBRT, proton therapy, and AI, reflecting current clinical advances.

    Evidence-Based and Multidisciplinary Tools – Aligns with current guidelines and trials, integrating surgical, medical, and palliative oncology perspectives.

    Highly Visual Format – Features full-color illustrations, treatment diagrams, and tables that support quick review and better clinical understanding.

    Written by Experienced Clinicians – Combines academic rigor with real-world insights from both academic and community oncology practice.

    Great for Exam and Clinical Prep – Designed to support ABR board prep, tumor boards, and clinical decision-making with key takeaways and summaries.

    Helps Radiation Oncologist Residents – Ace your boards with this comprehensive, exam-ready resource. Built for your journey, it includes annotated images, planning examples, and case breakdowns.

    Notable 4th edition updates

    • In-depth updates on stereotactic radiosurgery, SBRT, proton therapy, and immunotherapy
    • New chapters focusing on the role of adaptive radiotherapy and artificial intelligence in advancing radiation treatments
    • Comprehensive coverage of intensity-modulated radiotherapy/volumetric modulated arc therapy and image-guided radiotherapy techniques across all clinical chapters
    • Integration of the most recent landmark studies, providing evidence-based recommendations for contemporary cancer care.
    • IMRT and IGRT techniques are covered in depth in all clinical chapters
    • Latest landmark studies provide evidence-based rationale for recommended treatments
    • Radiation treatment toxicity and its management

  • This invaluable resource has always been noted for its thoughtful and comprehensive structure. Its 28 chapters concisely cover the underlying sciences governing the field of radiation oncology and review specific advances in the modalities of treatment, including advanced techniques such as stereotactic modalities and proton therapy. This book then provides clinical guidance and insight into the role of radiation for specific disease sites. This book also includes two new chapters on artificial intelligence in radiation therapy and adaptive radiotherapy. The structure and design of this book allow for it to be used as an immediate reference or to address an immediate clinical question.

    Stay current in a rapidly evolving specialty. Whether you are managing complex cases, preparing for boards or fine-tuning treatment plans, this comprehensive resource delivers evidence-based guidance, real-world case studies, and practical tools to elevate your practice.

    Each chapter concentrates on sub-specialties in radiation oncology. This book focuses on "clinical fundamentals" for clinical staff to produce reasonable results in an efficient pattern of study. It is very practical in helping to improve knowledge for residents and refresh clinical management on current radiation oncology management.

    This book acts as a quick reference for radiation oncologists and other interested professionals such as physicists, dosimetrists, and oncology residents.

    Radiation oncologists in a busy clinic can use this book as a quick reference textbook to search clinical guidelines and crosscheck many clinical treatment protocols without going through lengthy steps in searching the literature.

  • Overview of the Book

    Basic Science of Radiation Oncology

    This part of the book is devoted to building knowledge and understanding of the parameters and terminologies that are required for understanding radiation dosimetry, radiation safety, and biological components of radiation therapy. Part I covers the basic sciences of radiation oncology, including radiation physics, and dosimetry. The radiation biology and molecular cancer biology chapters have been substantially updated.

    There are chapters dedicated to these areas:

    • Radiation physics, dosimetry, and treatment planning
    • Radiation protection and safety
    • Radiation biology
    • Molecular cancer biology

    Techniques and Modalities of Radiation Oncology

    Part II of the book is the core part which provides details of possible radiation treatment techniques and their applicability in the treatment of cancers of different body parts. The inclusion of artificial intelligence in radiation therapy and statistical considerations in radiation oncology are the two important attractions of this part of the book. This part of the book contains a combination of highly useful information (physical, technical, and clinical aspects of radiation therapy techniques) within one roof. Part Il describes the techniques and modalities that have revolutionized radiation therapy, including intensity modulated and image-guided radiation therapy, stereotactic radiation therapy, and proton therapy. The immunotherapy and combined modality therapy chapters are expanded. New chapters regarding adaptive radiation therapy and artificial intelligence in radiation therapy have been added.

    There are chapters dedicated to these areas:

    • Brachytherapy
    • Intensity modulated and image guided radiation therapy
    • Stereotactic radiation therapy cranial lesions
    • Stereotactic body radiation therapy: lung cancers
    • Proton radiation therapy
    • Adaptive radiotherapy
    • Artificial intelligence in radiation therapy
    • Immunotherapy
    • Radiation and combined modality therapy
    • Statistical considerations in radiation oncology

    Clinical Radiation Oncology

    Chapters of this part of the book contain compact but highly useful clinical information about various cancer cases. As almost all the relevant clinical information is compiled in a systematic manner, one can easily turn a page to note down the required parameter which helps in clinical decisions. Part IlI provides a comprehensive overview of site-specific cancers and their current treatment recommendations. Advanced radiation therapy techniques, including IMRT and IGRT, are covered in depth in all clinical chapters. Each chapter concludes with an up-to-date annotated bibliography of recent landmark studies that offer evidence-based justification for suggested treatments.

    There are chapters dedicated to these areas:

    • Skin cancers
    • Primary brain cancers
    • Head and neck cancers
    • Breast cancers
    • Thoracic cancers
    • Gastrointestinal cancers
    • Genitourinary cancers
    • Gynecological cancers
    • Lymphoma & hematologic cancers
    • Soft-tissue sarcomas
    • Pediatric cancers
    • Benign tumors

    Palliative Care and Radiation Treatment Toxicity Management

    Detailed clinical information about palliative radiotherapy for the brain metastases, spinal cord compression, painful bone metastases, and superior vena cava syndrome are provided here. Also, details about the early and late side effects of radiation treatment of various cancer cases. Provides the treatment required for managing the side effects of radiation treatments.

    Part IV deals with radiation emergencies and palliative radiotherapy. In addition, aspects of radiotherapy toxicity and its management are described in detail.

    There are chapters dedicated to these areas:

    Radiation emergencies and common indications for palliative radiotherapy

    Radiation treatment toxicity and their management

    This resource features quality photographic images, tables, charts, and graphs that assist in one’s consumption of the vital information that busy residents and burdened practitioners need to gain a quick and accurate perspective. The content is sourced from landmark publications and the latest data reported from leading medical and scientific institutions and government agencies.

    • For helping in the short-term needs and long-term outcomes of a patient, this revised edition also includes new information on structures that need to be treated and structures that can be spared from radiation treatments. This field of study continuously has new advances regarding optimizing the extent of treatment and these discussions are permanent for the best case of one’s patients. Fundamentals of Radiation Oncology is often consulted before any such discussions can take place.
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