British Journal of Radiology (2003) 76, 843
© 2003 British Institute of Radiology
doi:
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy. The state of the art: AAPM Medical Physics Monograph number 29. Edited by J R Palta and T R Mackie, pp. xvi+888, 2003 (Medical Physics Publishing, Madison WI), $100.00 ISBN 1-930524-16-1
C Nutting
and
S Webb
The AAPM held its annual Summer School in Colorado Springs, USA in June 2003. The theme was "IMRT" and this textbook-quality book was produced from the contributing lecturers. The book comes complete with a CDROM of all the PDF chapters, extra colour figures and many movies.
All but 2 of the 35 chapter contributors were drawn from Centres in the USA and Canada and therefore the clinical implementation inevitably reflects a North American Continent perspective. However, the science of IMRT is universal and the chapters comprehensively cover the state of the art. The book is carefully arranged, starting with historical perspective, passing through IMRT mathematics, physical and biological optimization and on towards definitions and determinations of structures, medical imaging applied to radiation therapy and a particularly insightful chapter on what is different about IMRT. Then follow chapters on the many different physics techniques for delivering IMRT, dosimetry, quality assurance, radiation shielding, Monte Carlo modelling and all aspects of coupled planning and delivery.
The last third of the book concentrates on clinical implementation of IMRT. Site-specific chapters briefly cover prostate, head-and-neck, and lung cancer, although at present there remains a distinct lack of clinical trial data to support the use of IMRT at these sites. Three chapters centre on methods to manage the moving tumour including image-guided IMRT. The book closes with expositions of electron and proton IMRT, on a discussion of socioeconomic issues and a look to the future from one of the more longstanding physicists in the field.
There is much in the book that can be found from a thorough reading of the literature—it is a book of a teaching course not a conference. However, given that few have the opportunity to be thoroughly well read, it is a very welcome gathering together of the material. It is profusely illustrated and very professionally edited. There is no company bias although the reader is left in no doubt of the view of the future of IMRT held by Mackie. Buried in the text are some very philosophical ways of viewing the development of IMRT and this aspect of the book is particularly thought provoking.
The length could be criticised at 888 pages!, and certainly many readers with limited time may have appreciated a more concise summary.
