Ensuring Safe Radiotherapy Treatments

Medical physicists play a crucial role in the safety of radiotherapy treatments by ensuring that ionizing radiation effectively targets tumors while protecting healthy tissue. The treatment process begins with precise imaging, such as combining CT and PET scans, to accurately locate and define the tumor's shape. After outlining the tumor, clinicians adjust the treatment margins to account for uncertainties, followed by a specialized radiation treatment plan that takes into consideration the individual characteristics of the tumor. Techniques like lead sheets and variable radiation intensity are utilized to meticulously shape the radiation dose, ensuring minimal exposure to sensitive organs while delivering the necessary therapeutic radiation accurately.