|
|
|
TERMINOLOGY |
- Bolus
- A tissue-equivalent material used to change the surface
distribution of a radiation beam.
- Brachytherapy
- The use of radioactive sources placed directly into a tumor bearing area to
generate local regions of high intensity radiation.
- Chemotherapy
- The use of drugs or medications to directly attack cancer at the cellular
level by disrupting the cell metabolic or reproductive cycle.
- Compensator
- An irregularly shaped beam modifying device utilized to reconfigure the beam
intensity to match irregular tissue contours.
- Computer plan (Isodose plan)
- A plotting of the combination of lines of the same dosage (isodose) within a
given treatment field. An isodose plan is usually derived from a combination of
treatment beams impinging upon a particular field of interest.
- Conformal radiation therapy
- A treatment delivery technique based upon the use of complex
three-dimensional planning. Conformal therapy allows the treatment beam to be
absolutely tailored to the shape and configuration of the target tumor, with
avoidance of nearby, normal critical structures.
- Curative
- This usually indicates that the radiation treatments are being delivered in
an attempt to cure the cancer. There is a high enough likelihood of cure that
the treatments will be designed with a cure in mind.
- Diode
- A solid state electronic probe which is placed on the surface of the body or
within a body cavity to measure the actual amount of radiation being delivered.
- Fractionation
- The schedule of fractions of treatment as it is delivered. This is usually
expressed as the number of fractions or treatment sessions delivered over a
specific period of time.
- Half-Life
- The amount of time required for a radioactive material to
lose its strength down to one-half of its initial value.
- Hyperfractionation
- Any technique of radiation treatment that delivers more than one treatment
session per day. Hyperfractionation is normally done twice and usually is
separated by a period of 4 to 6 hours.
- Palliation
- The use of radiation therapy in an attempt to decrease symptoms such as
pain, bleeding or other dysfunctions. This sometimes results in the prolongation
of life, but the main goal is to improve the quality of life.
- Portal Films
- X-rays taken during the delivery of radiation treatment utilizing the
treatment beam of the machine. Portal films demonstrate the exact shape, size
and area covered by each individual treatment beam during an actual treatment.
- Treatment planning
- The cognitive process carried out by the physician to determine all of the
parameters in a given course of radiation therapy.
|
|
