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Quality and Safety in Radiation Oncology is the first book to provide an authoritative and evidence-based guide to the understanding and implementation of quality and safety procedures in radiation oncology practice. Alongside the rapid growth of technology and radiotherapy treatment options for cancer in recent years, quality and safety standards are not only of the utmost importance but best practices ensuring quality and safety are crucial aspect of modern radiation oncology training. A detailed exploration and review of these standards is a necessary part of radiation oncologist's professional competency, both in the clinical setting and at the study table while preparing for board review and MOC exams. Chapter topics range from fundamental concepts of value and quality to commissioning technology and the use of metrics. They include perspectives on quality and safety from the patient, third-party payers, as well as from the federal government. Other chapters cover prospective testing of quality, training and education, error identification and analysis, incidence reporting, as well as special technology and procedures, including MRI-guided radiation therapy, proton therapy and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), quality and safety procedures in resource-limited environments, and more. State-of-the-art quality assurance procedures and safety guidelines are the backbone of this unique and essential volume. Physicians, medical physicists, dosimetrists, radiotherapists, hospital administrators, and other healthcare professionals will find this resource an invaluable compendium of best practices in radiation oncology. Key Features: Case examples illustrate best practices and pitfalls Several dozen graphs, tables and figures help quantify the discussion of quality and safety throughout the text Section II covers all aspects of quality assurance procedures for the physicist

'This book admirably covers prostate cancer. It is written in an easily digestible manner for non-experts and emphasizes the importance of a team approach to treatment of patients with this disease.'--Doody's ReviewsWith an emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration and decision-making, this practical resource reflects the extraordinary advances in the treatment of prostate cancer during the past five years. Approximately thirty international, leading-edge investigators describe the most current evidence-based approaches to prostate cancer treatment. The book provides a comprehensive view of the entire spectrum of prostate cancer management from initial screening through novel and experimental treatments that have the potential for a major impact on practice.The book first reviews fundamental issues including epidemiology, screening, risk reduction, diagnosis and pathologic characterization, staging, and imaging. This includes strategies for improving the accuracy of PSA screening and an update on controversies surrounding the ISUP Modified Gleason Score. The book covers novel molecular and genotype profiling in prostate cancer, including morphometric and systems pathology. Detailed information is provided on radiographic imaging for diagnosis and staging. The treatment sections of the book correspond to the staging of disease. The treatment of localized disease addresses the range of multidisciplinary management options including a discussion of prostate cancer's impact on the quality of life. A detailed review of multimodal therapies (medical, surgical, and radiologic) addresses the treatment of localized advanced disease, and coverage of advanced metastatic prostate cancer reviews current management options including a range of promising novel and experimental agents. The book also discusses counseling the high-risk patient. Several chapters incorporate models of care delivery, patient navigation for multidisciplinary care, genomic and risk assessment, and comparative effects of research in treatment decision-making. The book is designed as a management text for all health care professionals who provide care for prostate cancer patients as well as patients, families, and advocates. Extensive references offer opportunities for additional study.Key Features:Delineates a practical, concise approach to multidisciplinary management of prostate cancerProvides a wide range of perspectives and expertiseWritten and edited by an international, multidisciplinary team of prostate cancer specialistsFocuses on such key issues as special populations, screening controversies, patient counseling, and quality of lifeIncludes discussion of important emerging topics such as gene profiling and targeted therapies and comparative effectiveness data