STRÅL6110 Radiobiology and Treatment Planning in Radiotherapy Course description

The course focuses on radiobiology and radiation effects on tumours/normal tissue as the basis for treatment planning in radiotherapy. The course includes margins and uncertainties, imaging, dose planning and assessment of dose distribution, as well as quality assurance of the planned radiotherapy.

Students who are to take the exam in the course should have relevant prior knowledge of radiation physics and oncology.

Students must have passed the course STRÅL6020 before they can take the exam in STRÅL6110.

After completing the course, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can explain radiobiological effects at the molecular and cellular level
• can explain and discuss the effect of ionising radiation on normal tissue and tumour tissue
• can explain the biological aspects and radiobiology models that form the basis for the planning and delivery of radiotherapy
• can give an account of and discuss margin, target volume and  organ at risk definitions
• can describe and discuss treatment principles and techniques in radiotherapy
• can explain criteria and tools for assessing dose distribution
• can interpret and assess the dose distribution for different treatment plans
• can give an account of and assess recommendations and guidelines relating to treatment planning
• can explain quality control, procedures and documentation of planning and treatment

Skills

The student

• can use knowledge of topographic anatomy and different image modalities in treatment planning and quality assurance
• can justify the choice of fixation method, patient position and treatment technique
• can analyse and critically assess volumes and margins in radiotherapy
• has practical skills in treatment planning (forward and inverse), assessment of dose distribution and the need for adaption during radiotherapy
• can analyse and critically assess different choices and considerations made during the planning phase to assess the treatment plan based on given assessment criteria
• can assess the biological effects of radiotherapy on tumours, organ at risk and normal tissue, and justify the choice of fractionation pattern
• can perform and evaluate checks of radiotherapy equipment and planned treatment

General competence

The student

• can discuss and analyse problems relating to radiobiology and treatment planning in radiotherapy
• can apply knowledge of and skills in science, radiobiology and oncology to issues relating to treatment programmes and planning
• can justify choices and assessments made in connection with the quality assurance of radiotherapy
• can demonstrate insight into and identify ethical issues in connection with treatment planning in radiotherapy
• can analyse and critically assess quality assurance, non-conformities and handling of non-conformities in radiotherapy

The work and teaching methods used are digital learning resources, lectures, seminars, self-study, group and project work, as well as skills training under supervision.

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

• minimum 80 per cent attendance in skills training, compulsory seminars and group and project work

Combined exam consisting of two parts:

1. Individual project assignment, 3,000 words (+/- 20%)

2. Supervised individual written exam, 3 hours

One overall grade is awarded. The two exam parts count equally towards the grade. Both parts must be passed (A-E) in order to pass the exam. 

Resit exam: If the written exam is awarded an F, it must be retaken. If the project assignment is awarded an F, the student is given one (1) more chance to submit a reworked version for the exam.

Part 1: All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Part 2: Calculator.

Grade scale A-F.

An external and an internal examiner will assess all exams.