Fundamentals of Radiation Oncology
Recognized as a 2026 Doody's Core Title · ARRO Recommended Study Resource ·
Favorably reviewed by Dr. Kevin Camphausen, Chief, Radiation Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute (NCI/NIH)
Who Is This Book For?
- Radiation Oncologists
- Radiation Oncology Residents and Students
- Radiation Oncology Educators
- Medical Physicists and Dosimetrists
- Radiation Oncology Nurses
- Research Scientists
- Medical Libraries
Notable 4th edition updates
- New chapters on adaptive radiotherapy and artificial intelligence in radiation treatment
- New chapters on adaptive radiotherapy and artificial intelligence in radiation treatment
- Comprehensive coverage of IMRT/VMAT and image-guided radiotherapy techniques across all clinical chapters
- Integration of recent landmark studies, providing evidence-based rationale for current treatment recommendations
- Expanded discussion of radiation treatment toxicity and its management
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
Fundamentals of Radiation Oncology, published by Academic Press, an imprint of Elsevier (updated reprint, May 2025), distills the essential and digestible elements of radiation oncology into four major sections and 28 succinct chapters. The fourth edition marks 20 years since the first edition's original publication, with contributions from more than 50 radiation oncologists, medical physicists, and scientific experts at academic and clinical centers across the United States and internationally.
The text is structured as a hybrid resource — more detailed than a study guide, more concise than a full textbook — designed for quick reference in daily practice as well as board preparation. It includes over 450 full-color images, charts, and graphs.
Overview of the Book
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Part I — Basic Science of Radiation Oncology
Covers the foundational parameters and terminology required to understand radiation dosimetry, radiation safety, and the biological components of radiation therapy. The radiation biology and molecular cancer biology chapters have been substantially updated for this edition.
• Radiation physics, dosimetry, and treatment planning
• Radiation protection and safety
• Radiation biology
• Molecular cancer biology
Part II — Techniques and Modalities of Radiation Oncology
Details radiation treatment techniques and their applicability across cancer types, including the modalities that have most reshaped the field in recent years. New chapters on adaptive radiotherapy and artificial intelligence have been added; the immunotherapy and combined modality therapy chapters have been expanded.
• Brachytherapy
• Intensity-modulated and image-guided radiation therapy
• Stereotactic radiation therapy for cranial lesions
• Stereotactic body radiation therapy for lung cancers
• Proton radiation therapy
• Adaptive radiotherapy
• Artificial intelligence in radiation therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Radiation and combined modality therapy
• Statistical considerations in radiation oncology
Part III — Clinical Radiation Oncology
Provides a site-by-site overview of cancers and current treatment recommendations, with IMRT and IGRT
techniques covered in depth throughout. Each chapter concludes with an annotated bibliography of recent landmark studies supporting the treatment guidance provided.
• Skin cancers
• Primary brain cancers
• Head and neck cancers
• Breast cancers
• Thoracic cancers
• Gastrointestinal cancers
• Genitourinary cancers
• Gynecological cancers
• Lymphoma and hematologic cancers
• Soft-tissue sarcomas
• Pediatric cancers
• Benign tumors
Part IV — Palliative Care and Radiation Treatment Toxicity Management
Covers palliative radiotherapy for brain metastases, spinal cord compression, painful bone metastases, and superior vena cava syndrome, along with the early and late side effects of radiation treatment and their management.
• Radiation emergencies and common indications for palliative radiotherapy
• Radiation treatment toxicity and its management
What Experts Are Saying
“For community practitioners, trainees preparing for board examinations, and clinicians seeking efficient reinforcement of core principles, it represents a valuable addition to the professional library.” — Dr. Kevin Camphausen, Chief, Radiation Oncology Branch, National Cancer Institute (NCI/NIH)
A Global Collaboration
The fourth edition features contributions from more than 50 experts at leading institutions, including MD Anderson Cancer Center, Stanford University, Duke University, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Moffitt Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, University of Toronto, Imperial College London, and University of Adelaide.
About the Editor
Hasan Murshed, MD, is a board-certified radiation oncologist with two decades of clinical experience treating more than 10,000 patients.
He serves as the Medical Director of Hope Regional Cancer Center in Panama City, Florida.
