Objectives of the course: To understand the mechanisms of interaction of ionizing radiation with biologic material and the biologic consequences of that interaction. The application of radiation therapy with the appropriate way to eradicate the tumor without destruction of normal tissues is also the subject of this course.

Contents of the course: 1. Basic Principles of Radiobiology: Stages of radiation action, Linear Energy Transfer (LET), Relative Biologic Effectiveness (RBE), cell survival curves, cell life cycle and irradiation, oxygen effect, DNA repair processes, chemical radiation sensitizers, dose rate, tissue effects, radiation protection. 2. Basic concepts of radiation physics: Production of clinical radiation (particulate, electromagnetic), radiation beams of clinical value, radiation treatment planning. 3. Principles of Cancer Radiotherapy: Therapeutic ratio, tumor control dose in clinical setting, various aims of radiation therapy, tumor radiosensitivity and radioresistance, normal tissue tolerance dose, modifiers of radiation response, dose fractionation effects, modern radiation therapy techniques (IMRT, IGRT), brachytherapy, stereotactic radiosurgery, radiotherapy combined with other therapeutic modalities (chemotherapy, surgery)

Mode and outcomes of teaching: The course is taught initially with oral presentations. Then, groups of 4-5 students come at the Radiation Therapy Department of the University Hospital for their clinical practice. They attend the activities of the Department: Follow-up of patients, the contouring of tumor and organs at risk at the CT simulator and the arrangement of the treatment fields, the treatment planning, the patient positioning at the CT simulator and linear accelerator, at the treatment room. They also attend the brachytherapy process. At the end of the course the students should know the basic principles of radiation Oncology.

Hours of training per student: 26

From the 6th Semester:

ECTS: 2