This book addresses a wide range of topics, from the principles of evidence-based practice to the process and dissemination of research to unique considerations such as clinical trials, patenting, and health services research. One of the more unique aspects of the scope of this book is the inclusion of chapters relating to the dissemination of knowledge, manuscript publication, and how to build an academic research program. Each chapter focuses on introducing the reader to foundational principles, methodology, and terminology, and highlight case studies of radiation therapist research or experience that is relevant to provide contextual examples and inspiration to readers.

First Published in 1988, this book offers a full, comprehensive guide into the relationship between macrophages and Cancer. Carefully compiled and filled with a vast repertoire of notes and references this book serves as a useful reference for Students of Medicine, Oncology and other practitioners in their respective fields.

"Insightful and profound." - Dr James R Doty. When Dr Mary Gunn was diagnosed with cancer, her first reaction was fear, and to fight the disease aggressively for the sake of not only herself but her young children and husband. But when it came back - and turned out to be incurable - she knew that she couldn't live the rest of her life in fear. Mary embraced a new approach to life: to accept all the joy and sorrow, safety and danger, certainty and unpredictability...in essence, to live freely. In our uncertain times, when it's difficult not to feel the fear, Dr Mary Gunn's remarkable memoir offers mindfulness tools for resilience, and shows how we can all use acceptance, compassion and love to live courageously, magnificently. Backed up by many years of experience as both a doctor and a patient, her story will inspire you to let go of fear, love life and live well.

Spreading to every corner of the Earth, the COVID-19 virus has had an unparalleled impact on all aspects of our lives. This book explores in detail how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected clinical practice, education, and research in medical physics, and how colleagues on the frontline dealt with this unpredictable and unprecedented pandemic. It tackles key questions such as: How did medical physicists first respond to the situation? What innovative strategies were taken and how effective were they? How are medical physicists preparing for the future? There will be a focus on the different experiences of regional medical physicists and the responses and outlooks in clinical practice, education, and research in the affected continents, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Europe, Africa and North and Latin America. With over 91 contributors from 39 countries, this unique resource contains key perspectives from teams from each territory to ensure a global range of accounts. The collective opinion and wisdom from the major medical physics journal editors-in-chief are also explored, alongside how the pandemic has affected the quantity and quality of publications. Voices of early-career researchers and students of medical physics will be included, with narratives of their experiences coping with life during the pandemic. Lastly, communicating leadership in times of adversity is highlighted. This book will be a historic account of the impact of the COVID-19 virus on the field of medical physics. It will be an ideal reference for medical physicists, medical physics trainees and students, hospital administrators, regulators, and healthcare professionals allied with medical physics. Key features: The first book to cover the impact of COVID-19 on the field of medical physics Edited by two experts in the field, with chapter contributions from subject area specialists around the world Broad, global coverage, ranging from the impact on teaching, research, and publishing, with unique perspectives from journal editors and students and trainees

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to current state-of-the-art auto-segmentation approaches used in radiation oncology for auto-delineation of organs-of-risk for thoracic radiation treatment planning. Containing the latest, cutting edge technologies and treatments, it explores deep-learning methods, multi-atlas-based methods, and model-based methods that are currently being developed for clinical radiation oncology applications. Each chapter focuses on a specific aspect of algorithm choices and discusses the impact of the different algorithm modules to the algorithm performance as well as the implementation issues for clinical use (including data curation challenges and auto-contour evaluations). This book is an ideal guide for radiation oncology centers looking to learn more about potential auto-segmentation tools for their clinic in addition to medical physicists commissioning auto-segmentation for clinical use. Features: Up-to-date with the latest technologies in the field Edited by leading authorities in the area, with chapter contributions from subject area specialists All approaches presented in this book are validated using a standard benchmark dataset established by the Thoracic Auto-segmentation Challenge held as an event of the 2017 Annual Meeting of American Association of Physicists in Medicine

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the fast-evolving subject of clinical application of cancer therapeutic biomarkers. The second edition captures significant progress of cancer immunotherapy and emphasizes the genetic basis for selective cancer treatment. It covers an in-depth insight on biomarkers across a broad area of cancer research and oncology with a wealth of integrated genetic and molecular information about specific therapies by a multidisciplinary team of internationally recognized experts. Each chapter focuses on a class of targeted, immunologic, or chemotherapy agents and their companion biomarkers that predict response, benefit or resistance, and severe adverse event. The book will serve as a handbook for health professionals and scientists on the current applicable biomarkers in the management of cancer. The vision into the systemic classification and statistical consideration of therapeutic biomarkers summarized by the book editors and chapter authors will help advance precision medicine-a precisely tailored cancer treatment strategy for cancer patient care.

Radiomics and Radiogenomics: Technical Basis and Clinical Applications provides a first summary of the overlapping fields of radiomics and radiogenomics, showcasing how they are being used to evaluate disease characteristics and correlate with treatment response and patient prognosis. It explains the fundamental principles, technical bases, and clinical applications with a focus on oncology. The book's expert authors present computational approaches for extracting imaging features that help to detect and characterize disease tissues for improving diagnosis, prognosis, and evaluation of therapy response. This book is intended for audiences including imaging scientists, medical physicists, as well as medical professionals and specialists such as diagnostic radiologists, radiation oncologists, and medical oncologists. Features Provides a first complete overview of the technical underpinnings and clinical applications of radiomics and radiogenomics Shows how they are improving diagnostic and prognostic decisions with greater efficacy Discusses the image informatics, quantitative imaging, feature extraction, predictive modeling, software tools, and other key areas Covers applications in oncology and beyond, covering all major disease sites in separate chapters Includes an introduction to basic principles and discussion of emerging research directions with a roadmap to clinical translation

This volume, Bioresponsive Polymers: Design and Application in Drug Delivery, focuses on recent advancements in bioresponsive polymers and their design, characterization, and applications in varied fields, such as drug delivery and gene delivery. It looks at several carriers for drug delivery and biological molecules using different bioresponsive polymers. To address the many difficulties in existing dosage forms, this book provides information on recent developments to overcome drawbacks of conventional forms of the drug delivery. The chapters cover most areas of bioresponsive polymers, starting with a basic introduction to bioresponsive polymers, followed by chapters on design, characterization, and mechanism of bioresponsive polymers; and applications of drug and gene delivery using bioresponsive polymers via oral, topical, nasal, ocular, and parenteral methods. The book also reviews recent advancements in bioresponsive polymers and advanced applications, such as engineering particulate moieties, biomedical applications, hydrogels as emerging therapy, and electrochemical responses, bioresponsive nanoparticles, and bioresponsive hydrogels.

Big Data in Radiation Oncology gives readers an in-depth look into how big data is having an impact on the clinical care of cancer patients. While basic principles and key analytical and processing techniques are introduced in the early chapters, the rest of the book turns to clinical applications, in particular for cancer registries, informatics, radiomics, radiogenomics, patient safety and quality of care, patient-reported outcomes, comparative effectiveness, treatment planning, and clinical decision-making. More features of the book are: Offers the first focused treatment of the role of big data in the clinic and its impact on radiation therapy. Covers applications in cancer registry, radiomics, patient safety, quality of care, treatment planning, decision making, and other key areas. Discusses the fundamental principles and techniques for processing and analysis of big data. Address the use of big data in cancer prevention, detection, prognosis, and management. Provides practical guidance on implementation for clinicians and other stakeholders. Dr. Jun Deng is a professor at the Department of Therapeutic Radiology of Yale University School of Medicine and an ABR board certified medical physicist at Yale-New Haven Hospital. He has received numerous honors and awards such as Fellow of Institute of Physics in 2004, AAPM Medical Physics Travel Grant in 2008, ASTRO IGRT Symposium Travel Grant in 2009, AAPM-IPEM Medical Physics Travel Grant in 2011, and Fellow of AAPM in 2013. Lei Xing, Ph.D., is the Jacob Haimson Professor of Medical Physics and Director of Medical Physics Division of Radiation Oncology Department at Stanford University. His research has been focused on inverse treatment planning, tomographic image reconstruction, CT, optical and PET imaging instrumentations, image guided interventions, nanomedicine, and applications of molecular imaging in radiation oncology. Dr. Xing is on the editorial boards of a number of journals in radiation physics and medical imaging, and is recipient of numerous awards, including the American Cancer Society Research Scholar Award, The Whitaker Foundation Grant Award, and a Max Planck Institute Fellowship.

This book provides a contemporary and comprehensive examination of cancer in everyday life, drawing on qualitative research with people living with cancer, their family members and health professionals. It explores the evolving and enduring affects of cancer for individuals, families and communities, with attention to the changing dynamics of survivorship, including social relations around waiting, uncertainty, hope, wilfulness, obligation, responsibility and healing. Challenging simplistic deployments of survivorship and drawing on contemporary and classical social theory, it critically examines survivorship through innovative qualitative methodologies including interviews, focus groups, participant produced photos and solicited diaries. In assembling this panoramic view of cancer in the twenty-first century, it also enlivens core debates in sociology, including questions around individual agency, subjectivity, temporality, normativity, resistance, affect and embodiment. A thoughtful account of cancer embedded in the undulations of the everyday, narrated by its subjects and those who informally and formally care for them, Survivorship: A Sociology of Cancer in Everyday Life outlines new ways of thinking about survivorship for sociologists, health and medical researchers and those working in cancer care settings.

Bayesian Approaches in Oncology Using R and OpenBUGS serves two audiences: those who are familiar with the theory and applications of bayesian approach and wish to learn or enhance their skills in R and OpenBUGS, and those who are enrolled in R and OpenBUGS-based course for bayesian approach implementation. For those who have never used R/OpenBUGS, the book begins with a self-contained introduction to R that lays the foundation for later chapters. Many books on the bayesian approach and the statistical analysis are advanced, and many are theoretical. While most of them do cover the objective, the fact remains that data analysis can not be performed without actually doing it, and this means using dedicated statistical software. There are several software packages, all with their specific objective. Finally, all packages are free to use, are versatile with problem-solving, and are interactive with R and OpenBUGS. This book continues to cover a range of techniques related to oncology that grow in statistical analysis. It intended to make a single source of information on Bayesian statistical methodology for oncology research to cover several dimensions of statistical analysis. The book explains data analysis using real examples and includes all the R and OpenBUGS codes necessary to reproduce the analyses. The idea is to overall extending the Bayesian approach in oncology practice. It presents four sections to the statistical application framework: Bayesian in Clinical Research and Sample Size Calcuation Bayesian in Time-to-Event Data Analysis Bayesian in Longitudinal Data Analysis Bayesian in Diagnostics Test Statistics This book is intended as a first course in bayesian biostatistics for oncology students. An oncologist can find useful guidance for implementing bayesian in research work. It serves as a practical guide and an excellent resource for learning the theory and practice of bayesian methods for the applied statistician, biostatistician, and data scientist.

There is an increasing need for educational resources for statisticians and investigators. Reflecting this, the goal of this book is to provide readers with a sound foundation in the statistical design, conduct, and analysis of clinical trials. Furthermore, it is intended as a guide for statisticians and investigators with minimal clinical trial experience who are interested in pursuing a career in this area. The advancement in genetic and molecular technologies have revolutionized drug development. In recent years, clinical trials have become increasingly sophisticated as they incorporate genomic studies, and efficient designs (such as basket and umbrella trials) have permeated the field. This book offers the requisite background and expert guidance for the innovative statistical design and analysis of clinical trials in oncology. Key Features: Cutting-edge topics with appropriate technical background Built around case studies which give the work a "hands-on" approach Real examples of flaws in previously reported clinical trials and how to avoid them Access to statistical code on the book's website Chapters written by internationally recognized statisticians from academia and pharmaceutical companies Carefully edited to ensure consistency in style, level, and approach Topics covered include innovating phase I and II designs, trials in immune-oncology and rare diseases, among many others

An illuminating guide for those newly diagnosed with prostate cancer as well as their partners and caregivers—one filled with extensive details about diagnosis, treatments, and tips for thriving. The second leading cause of cancer death for men, prostate cancer affects more than a quarter of a million individuals in the United States each year. Most men with prostate cancer will go through the journey from diagnosis through treatment and beyond with a partner and family members by their side. But there are few resources available that address the needs of both those with cancer and their loved ones who want to help. Written in accessible language and backed by the latest scientific research, Prostate Cancer covers • symptoms, diagnosis, and testing; • the full range of treatment options available; • practical tools partners can use to assist their loved one; • advice on managing the side effects of treatment, including incontinence and sexual problems; • tips to help cope with the emotional challenges associated with cancer; • recommendations for keeping healthy with diet, exercise, and mindfulness; and • insights into insurance issues. With three leading experts in urology, surgery, and psychiatry as its coauthors, Prostate Cancer provides the information and guidance you need to better understand the disease, communicate with health care providers, and support yourself and your loved one through treatment and survivorship.

In this issue of Hematology/Oncology Clinics, guest editors Drs. Edward J. Benz, Jr. and Vijay G. Sankaran bring their considerable expertise to the topic of Thalassemia. Top experts in the field provide an overview of the history, epidemiology, pathogenic mechanisms, and clinical management of the thalassemia syndromes. Contains 16 practice-oriented topics including molecular basis and genetic modifiers of thalassemia; fetal hemoglobin in thalassemia; clinical complications and their management; iron chelation in thalassemia; fertility and pregnancy in women with transfusion-dependent thalassemia; gene therapy and genome editing in thalassemia; emerging medical therapies for thalassemia; and more. Provides in-depth clinical reviews on thalassemia, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.

An up-to-date survey of mathematical models of carcinogenesis, providing the most recent findings of cancer biology as evidence of the models, as well as extensive bibliographies of cancer biology and in-depth mathematical analyses for each of the models. May be used as a reference for courses on st

This new book educates readers about new technologies before they appear in hospitals, enabling medical physicists and clinicians to prepare for new technologies thoroughly and proactively, and provide better patient care once new equipment becomes available. Emerging technologies in imaging, treatment planning, treatment delivery, dosimetry and informatics are all discussed. The book is divided into three parts: recently developed technologies available for practice; technologies under development nearing completion; and technologies in an early stage of development that could have potential radiotherapy applications. Features: Introduces emerging technologies in imaging, treatment planning, treatment delivery, dosimetry and informatics The advantages and limitations of each technology in clinical settings are discussed, and recommendations on how to adopt the technologies are provided Critiques and improvement points are provided for researchers, in addition to suggestions on how to prepare quality assurance are provided as needed

This book explores outcome modeling in cancer from a data-centric perspective to enable a better understanding of complex treatment response, to guide the design of advanced clinical trials, and to aid personalized patient care and improve their quality of life. It contains coverage of the relevant data sources available for model construction (panomics), ranging from clinical or preclinical resources to basic patient and treatment characteristics, medical imaging (radiomics), and molecular biological markers such as those involved in genomics, proteomics and metabolomics. It also includes discussions on the varying methodologies for predictive model building with analytical and data-driven approaches. This book is primarily intended to act as a tutorial for newcomers to the field of outcome modeling, as it includes in-depth how-to recipes on modeling artistry while providing sufficient instruction on how such models can approximate the physical and biological realities of clinical treatment. The book will also be of value to seasoned practitioners as a reference on the varying aspects of outcome modeling and their current applications. Features: Covers top-down approaches applying statistical, machine learning, and big data analytics and bottom-up approaches using first principles and multi-scale techniques, including numerical simulations based on Monte Carlo and automata techniques Provides an overview of the available software tools and resources for outcome model development and evaluation, and includes hands-on detailed examples throughout Presents a diverse selection of the common applications of outcome modeling in a wide variety of areas: treatment planning in radiotherapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy, utility-based and biomarker applications, particle therapy modeling, oncological surgery, and the design of adaptive and SMART clinical trials

Radiation Protection in Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology focuses on the professional, operational, and regulatory aspects of radiation protection. Advances in radiation medicine have resulted in new modalities and procedures, some of which have significant potential to cause serious harm. Examples include radiologic procedures that require very long fluoroscopy times, radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies, and intravascular brachytherapy. This book summarizes evidence supporting changes in consensus recommendations, regulations, and health physics practices associated with these recent advances in radiology, nuclear medicine, and radiation oncology. It supports intelligent and practical methods for protection of personnel, the public, and patients. The book is based on current recommendations by the International Commission on Radiological Protection and is complemented by detailed practical sections and professional discussions by the world's leading medical and health physics professionals. It also includes substantial information on international aspects of radiation protection, with sections covering Africa, Asia and Oceania, the European Union, the Middle East, and North and Latin America.

For Blood and Money tells the little-known story of how an upstart biotechnology company created a one-in-a-million cancer drug, and how the core team-denied their share of the profits-went and did it again. In this epic saga of money and science, veteran financial journalist Nathan Vardi explains how the invention of two of the biggest cancer drugs in history became (for their backers) two of the greatest Wall Street bets of all time. In the multibillion-dollar business of biotech, where pharmaceutical companies, the government, hedge funds, and venture capitalists have spent billions on funding, experimentation, and treatments, a single molecule can stop cancer in its tracks-and make the people who find that rare molecule astonishingly rich. For Blood and Money follows a small team at a biotech start-up in California, who have found one of these rare molecules. Their compound, known as a BTK inhibitor, seems to work on a vicious type of leukemia. When patients start rising from their hospice beds, the team knows they're onto something big. What follows is a story of genius, pathos, and drama, in which vivid characters navigate a world of corporate intrigue and ambiguous morality. Vardi's narrative immerses readers in the recent explosion of biotech start-ups. He describes the scientists, doctors, and investors who are risking everything to develop new, life-saving treatments, and introduces suffering patients for whom the stakes are life-or-death. A gripping nonfiction read, For Blood and Money illustrates why it's so hard to bring new drugs to market, explains why they are so expensive, and examines how profit-driven venture capitalists are shaping the future of medicine.

This book presents an up to date ethical framework for radiological protection in medicine. It is consistent with the requirements of the system of radiation protection and with the expectations of medical ethics. It presents an approach rooted in the medical tradition, and alert to contemporary social expectations. It provides readers with a practical framework against which they can assess the safety and acceptability of medical procedures, including patients' concerns. It will be an invaluable reference for radiologists, radiation oncologists, regulators, medical physicists, technologists, other practitioners, as well as academics, researchers and students of radiation protection in medicine. Features: An authoritative and accessible guide, authored by a team who have contributed to defining the area internationally Includes numerous practical examples/clinical scenarios that illustrate the approach, presenting a pragmatic approach, rather than dwelling on philosophical theories Informed by the latest developments in the thinking of international organizations

Written by one of the world's leading experts in the field of nuclear medicine dosimetry, this text describes in detail the use of internal dose calculations in the practice of nuclear medicine. While radiation therapy with external sources of radiation always employs calculations of dose to optimize therapy for each patient, this is not routinely conducted in nuclear medicine therapy. As the trend towards an increasing role of dosimetry in therapy planning increases, this book reviews the available methods and technologies available to make this a more common practice. The book begins by covering the mathematical fundamentals of internal dose calculations, and uses sample calculations to demonstrate key principles. The book then moves forward to describe anthropomorphic models, dosimetric models, and types and uses of diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. The depth of coverage makes it useful reference and guide for researchers performing dose calculations and for physicians considering incorporating dose calculations into the treatment of their cancer patients.

1) General description of the Genetic Polymorphism and its various types 2) Discuss the role of Genetic Polymorphisms in modulating risk of various human diseases 3) Discuss various molecular techniques used for detecting GPs 4) Discuss the role of SNPs in modulating the susceptibility of human diseases 5) Genetic basis for individual variations in response to therapeutics

To improve efficiency and reduce administrative costs, healthcare providers, insurance companies, and governments are increasingly using integrated electronic health record (EHR) and picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) to manage patients' medical information. Reflecting the latest applications of PACS technology, PACS and Digital Medicine: Essential Principles and Modern Practice discusses the essential principles of PACS, EHR, and related technological advancements as well as practical issues concerning the implementation, operation, and maintenance of PACS and EHR systems. The book focuses on various components of PACS that use state-of-the-art technologies. The authors first present topics to consider prior to implementation, including design principles for PACS components and theory. They also cover post-installation quality control; security and privacy policies; maintenance, including upgrade/integration with other information systems; and governing standards. Each chapter includes an introduction to basic concepts and principles relevant to the topics, before exploring challenges that PACS users may encounter in daily work. Discussions are supplemented with more than 130 illustrations, along with case studies of implementation in two organizations. A useful guide and broad overview of the field, this book presents key principles and practical steps for PACS and EHR implementations and maintenance. Although the technology and standards of healthcare IT will evolve over time, the theory and practical advice found in this text will remain pertinent in the future.

Lymphatic mapping techniques have proven to be useful to the early detection and safe treatment of endometrial and cervical cancers; however, the techniques have much of value to offer for breast cancer also and particularly for vulvar cancer, where there has been an explosion of interest and research. In the new edition of Clinical Lymphatic Mapping of Gynecologic Cancers, the techniques are fully explained, with consideration of the latest developments and technologies.