Radiotherapy and cancer diseasesLaajuus (7 ECTS)

Objective

The students know the radiotherapy principles, safe use of radiotherapy equipment, and quality management. The students understand the radiotherapy process as a part of the treatment of a cancer patient. The students can understand the radiotherapy dose plan, gain a basic understanding of the simulator and patient setup in teletherapy. The students are able to support the patient and to take into account changes in the patient's condition. The students can begin training in pairs using a linear accelerator, understand the radiotherapy dose plan and take care of the patient during a radiotherapy session.

Content

Oncology 1 cr
Cancer, factors affecting cancer, and cancer treatment
Radiotherapy equipment
Mechanisms of action of radiotherapy
Radiotherapy methods
Teletherapy planning and implementation
Radiotherapy quality management
Radiation protection in radiotherapy
Care work of cancer patient receiving radiotherapy
Cooperation between different fields of expertise in radiotherapy

Qualifications

Physiological basis of imaging, and equipment
Biological effects of radiation and basics of radiation safety

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The students know the radiotherapy principles, safe use of radiotherapy equipment, and quality management.
The students know about the different stages of the radiotherapy process, and about patient set-up and care. The students are able to read the dose plan.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The students show that they understand the radiotherapy principles, safe use of radiotherapy equipment, and quality management. The students know the treatments to the commonest types of cancer and understand the radiotherapy process stages. The students know how to guide the patient and to take into account changes in the patient's condition. The students understand the principles of dose planning and can read the dose plan.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The students displays good ability to provide radiotherapy safely, and know the principles of quality management. The students are familiar with the treatment of the commonest types of cancer. The students understand the cancer patient’s radiotherapy process in all its stages and can assess any changes in the patient’s condition, and to guide the patient. The students are able to read and evaluate the dose plan.