The Modern Technology of Radiation Oncology, Vol 1
Author: Jacob Van DykISBN: 9780944838389 ISBN10: 0944838383
Published: 1999 | 1072 pp | Hardcover
Price: $ 175.95
Medical Physics | March 2000
"The book is best described by a single word in the subtitle, ‘compendium.' It surveys the field of radiation oncology from the perspective of the practicing clinical physicist and does an excellent job of covering the field. Two things will quickly become apparent to the reader. The first is the lack of equations. With rare exception, about six of the 25 chapters, there are no equations but rather the principles involved are described in a clear and comprehensive manner without the use of equations. The second feature is the wealth of up-to-date references at the end of each section. Numerous 1998 and some 1999 references were listed. Given the book was copyrighted in 1999, this was surprising.
"The book consists of 25 chapters averaging some 40 pages per chapter. A total of 56 authors/co-authors have participated. The chapter authors are an international who's who in the field of medical physics. Clearly some of them are writing on a sub-topic that is very near and dear to them.
"The quality of the printing of the book is adequate but not to the standards of Medical Physics. Specifically the reproduction of some radiographic images and photographs are quite poor. Fortunately the text material does not require one to discern detail in the figures and little of the presentation is lost for the reader.
"From the perspective of the academician, I do not see the book being used as a text for formal courses. The material is broad in scope but does not go to the depth one would wish for a medical physics course. In fairness to the authors, it was not their intent to write a text. The cost, $145 softcover, would also give some pause to the book being selected as a text.
"The strength of the book is for the practicing clinical physicist or radiation oncology resident with an inclination toward physics. The book nicely scopes the various aspects of radiation oncology and points the reader in the right direction. The numerous references allow one to pursue any specific topic to the depth the reader wishes.
"In summary, it is a nice book for the clinical physicist to have on their
bookshelf."
Reviewed by James B. Smathers
James B. Smathers is a Professor of Radiation Oncology at UCLA