Brachytherapy is a specialist form of radiation oncology in which cancer is treated by the implantation or insertion of radioactive material into or close to the tumor. Although only applicable in the treatment of certain cancers, where it can be used it is highly effective. The technique has been developed through the co-operation of a number of different groups - radiation biologists, radiation physicists and radiation oncologists - and this text is unique in reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of the subject. It is written by, and for, an international audience with contributions from acknowledged experts in the field including a number from North America. Primarily a reference for the specialist clinician or scientist, the book will also be an invaluable addition to the library of any oncology department providing a source of up-to-date information for trainees.

Contents:

Part 1: Physics 1. Radionuclides in brachytherapy, E.G.A. Aird 2. Source specification and dosimetry, J.M. Wilkinson 3. Calibration of sources, C.H. Jones 4. Systems of dosimetry, A.D. Welsh and K. D'Amico 5. Application of computers to brachytherapy dosimetry, R. van der Laarse and Robert W. Luthmann 6. Dose specification and reporting, Andre Wambersie, and J.J. Battermann 7. Afterloading systems, A. Flynn 8. Quality assurance in low dose rate afterloading, E.D. Slessinger 9. Quality assurance in high dose rate afterloading, C.H. Jones 10. Radiation protection in brachytherapy, Margaret Bidmead

Part 2: Radiobiology 11. The radiobiology of LDR, J. Bedford 12. Dose rate effects with human cells, Gordon Steel and J.H. Peacock 13. Modelling LDR, HDR and PDR, D.J. Brenner, et al. 14. Predictive assays as they pertain to brachytherapy, John A. Cook and James B. Mitchell 15. Radiobiological principles from clinical data, E.J. Hall and D.J. Brenner

Part 3: Clinical Practice 16. Brachytherapy in bronchogenic cancer, B. Speiser 17. Brachytherapy in cancer of the esophagus, A.D. Flores 18. Brachytherapy in prostate cancer, Peter Hoskin 20. LDR brachytherapy in breast management, J.R. White and J.F. Wilson 21. Brachytherapy in treating head and neck cancer (LDR), A. Gerbaulet and M. Mahler 22. Brachytherapy in treating head and neck cancer (ADR), P. Levendag 23. Intaoperative brachytherapy including bile duct and pancreas, D. Nori 24. Brachytherapy for treating endometrial cancer, A. Ladner and U. Karck 25. , LDR/MDR brachytherapy for treating cervix cancer 26. HDR brachytherapy for treating cervix cancer, C.A.F. Joslin 27. Brachytherapy for brain tumors, J.J. Batterman and M. Hulshof 28. Interstitial brachytherapy in the treatment of carcinoma of the cervix, A.M. Nisar Syed and A. Puthawala 29. Interstitial brachytherapy in the treatment of carcinoma of the anorectum, A.M. Nisar Syed and A. Puthawala 30. Surface mould brachytherapy, Joslin and Flynn 31. Hyperthermia with brachytherapy, Peter M. Cory 32. The cost effectiveness of brachytherapy, G. Read 33. Quality management in brachytherapy, Joslin 34. Prevention of accidents and safe practice, Joslin and Flynn