Implementation of IMRT in the radiotherapy department.
This paper describes the implementation of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in a radiotherapy department. When preparing to set-up an IMRT programme, it is important to review departmental protocols with regard to immobilization, CT planning, treatment planning and verification. Any additional quality assurance steps also need to be fully understood. A new IMRT programme is most likely to be successful if it builds on established clinical experience with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (CRT). Training of radiographers, clinicians and physicists is critical, and both team-work and communication are vital to ensure a smooth transition from 3DCRT to IMRT delivery in the clinic.
McNair
H A
HA
Department of Radiotherapy, Royal Marsden NHS Trust and Institute of Cancer Research, Downs Road, Sutton, Surrey, UK.
Adams
E J
EJ
Clark
C H
CH
Miles
E A
EA
Nutting
C M
CM
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006801:Humans; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors