MD Radiotherapy Training Guidelines
MD Radiotherapy Training Guidelines
The purpose of PG education is to create specialists who would provide high quality
health care and advance the cause of science through research & training.
The goal of providing training under this specialty is to enable the post graduate students
to acquire complete knowledge in diagnosis and comprehensive management of cancer
patients with radiotherapy. This clinical specialty is exclusively focused only on oncology
at the post-graduate level. Hence, the doctors trained under this field, after completing
their course, should be fully capable of handling cancer patients with non-surgical
modalities of diagnosis and treatment. Besides, as per WHO, they should also be capable
of guiding and coordinating cancer prevention (?), control, screening, early detection,
rehabilitation, palliative and terminal care programs for these patients in the country as per
the evolving needs and to meet the objectives of the National Cancer Control Programme
of India. The post graduate students would also be expected to have acquired knowledge
of various research methodologies, a broad based training in all aspects of cancer science
and treatment and be able to plan/coordinate research studies in the departmental, and be a
part of inter-departmental or multi-centric, national/international research programmes.
The PG students would have clinical management of these patients during radiation
therapy and will also advise and supervise their palliative, supportive and terminal care,
whenever needed, in coordination with other supportive staff. By the end of the three year
course, the post graduate student is expected to have acquired a wide knowledge of
malignant disease processes and efficient management of patients with cancer. The main
emphasis during training shall be on radiotherapy (and combined practice with anti-cancer
chemotherapy), but a good knowledge of general medicine, surgery, head & neck region,
gynaecology and pathology as pertaining to Radiation Oncology.
The purpose of this document is to provide teachers and learners illustrative guidelines to
achieve defined outcomes through learning and assessment. This document was prepared
by various subject-content specialists. The Reconciliation Board of the Academic
Committee has attempted to render uniformity without compromise to purpose and
content of the document. Compromise in purity of syntax has been made in order to
preserve the purpose and content. This has necessitated retention of “domains of learning”
under the heading “competencies”.
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SUBJECT SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES
1. Demonstrate the ability to diagnose and treat all cases of malignancies using updated
guidelines in medical and radiation oncology with special ability to maintain inter
disciplinary coordination.
2. Demonstrate the ability to address all emotional issues in patients and family members in
relation to diagnosis, therapy, terminal care and mortality related to malignancies
3. Organise proper promotive and preventive care strategies in the community aimed at
reducing the burden of care in malignancies
4. Lead and participate in planning and execution of team work related to establishment
and maintenance of infrastructure related to radiation therapy, conforming to the
updated guidelines
5. Plan and conduct research related to the topic
6. Demonstrate the ability to organise teaching / training sessions for students and health
workers in topics related to cancer prevention and care.
The objectives of the MD programme in Radiotherapy (Is it possible to use one term,
either Radiation Oncology or Radiotherapy/) is to impart knowledge, practical skills and
clinical experience in the non-surgical treatment of cancer.
A. Cognitive domain
The students after successful completion of their training, should have acquired
knowledge in the following:
1. Theoretical and practical knowledge for competent, safe, compassionate & ethical
multidisciplinary practice of oncology and should contribute to the future
developments in oncology.
2. The epidemiology, etiology, pathology & natural history of human neoplastic
diseases.
3. Knowledge, experience & skill in the clinical diagnosis of human neoplastic
diseases.
4. Attain knowledge and a high level of technical expertise in all forms of radiation
as a therapeutic tool used in radiotherapy
5. Knowledge of the adverse effects of radiation including radiation related
accompaniments.
6. Knowledge and comprehension regarding the use of cytotoxic drugs and biological
response modifiers etc in all clinical and research settings with detailed knowledge
of adverse effects of these drugs.
7. Knowledge and comprehension with the role of surgery in the management of
neoplastic diseases.
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8. Knowledge and ability to judiciously combine various modalities in
comprehensive, multi-disciplinary management of cancer patients; coordinate with
other specialty experts in the team and plan for use of radiation and cytotoxic
drugs integrated into the overall treatment plan
9. A sound knowledge and capability to manage cancer patients as a whole, including
a) Management of oncological emergencies,
b) complications associated with malignant diseases and its management,
c) psychosocial problems,
d) prevention, rehabilitation and palliative care.
10. Knowledge and capacity to interpret current advances in cancer management and
research (basic, clinical and applied aspects of research including radiobiology &
molecular oncology).
11. Knowledge and capability to plan and coordinate community based screening,
early detection, and awareness programmes including community-based research
projects.
12. Basic knowledge of the different statistical methods used in collection, analysis
and interpretation of data related to cancer (with special emphasis on planning &
interpretation of clinical trials)
13. Knowledge and capability to set up the specialty department and facilities for
Oncology in different parts of India.
14. Able to interact with the Government and other agencies as a nodal person for
planning development of specialty of radiation oncology.
15. A broad knowledge of different types of investigations in the management of patients
with cancer.
B. Affective Domain:
The student:
1. Should be able to function as a part of a team, develop an attitude of cooperation
with colleagues, and interact with the patient and the clinician or other colleagues
to provide the best possible diagnosis or opinion.
2. Always adopt ethical principles and maintain proper etiquette in dealings with
patients, relatives and other health personnel and to respect the rights of the patient
including the right to information and second opinion.
3. Develop communication skills to word reports and professional opinion as well as
to interact with patients, relatives, peers and paramedical staff, and for effective
teaching.
C. Psychomotor domain
The student, at the end of the course, should have acquired the following skills:
I. Skills and Clinical Experience:
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management of cancers. Post graduate students need to have gained a wide
range of experience in the areas of patient care which would include
investigation, diagnosis, treatment with radiation, and in palliative and
supportive care and to have gained the practical experience detailed below:
d. Outline Techniques
Use of manual techniques (flexi-curves, plaster of Paris
bandage) and CT derived outlines.
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Wedged right-angled pair,
Wedged oblique pair,
Plans using 3 and 4 fields,
Total body irradiation.
f. Tissue Compensation
Planning of patients requiring tissue compensation using
bolus, wedges and remote tissue compensators
g. Shielding
Planning of patients using lead cut outs and lead masks for
simple superficial tumours,
Knowledge of the thickness of lead required for superficial,
orthovoltage and electron treatments at various energies,
Prescription and insertion of eye shields.
h. Megavoltage Techniques
Planning of patients incorporating simple lead blocking
techniques using standard blocks and cast blocks from
templates
i. Electrons
The indications for, and planning of, electron treatments,
including the selection of electron energy,
A technique for total skin electron therapy and experience
of its use.
j. Dose Calculation
Proficiency in the use of equivalent square tables,
Performance of depth dose calculations for single fields
and opposed fields using various energies,
The principles applied to convert dose to machine units for
a range of machines,
The principles of computer based treatment planning.
k. Radiotherapy Prescriptions
Writing radiotherapy prescriptions (countersigned where
necessary) for all the field arrangements mentioned above,
Understanding of dose specification as in ICRU 50 and 62.
l. Radiotherapy Machines
Planning of patients for treatment on a full spectrum of
equipment, including superficial x-ray therapy,
megavoltage x-ray therapy and megavoltage electron
therapy (also orthovoltage x-ray therapy and cobalt-60
therapy, if available)
m. Quality Assurance in External Beam Therapy
Requesting portal imaging and interpreted their appearance
satisfactorily in all sites
Principles of in vivo dosimetry and interpretation of results
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n. Brachytherapy
The insertion and removal of radioactive sources manually
or using an appropriate after-loading device,
Interpretation of subsequent check films,
Interpretation of the corresponding dose calculation and
writing of an appropriate prescription,
Removal of live sources and the after-loading device,
The placement of implants,
Principles of oral and intravenous radionuclide therapy.
o. Radiation Safety
The role of the radiation safety and radiation protection
supervisor,
The meaning of and requirements for controlled and
supervised areas and their location,
The procedure to be adopted in the case of a spill of
radioactive material,
Quality assurance practices in radiotherapy and the
procedures for dealing with errors in treatment delivery.
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Managing radiation induced nausea and vomiting,
diarrhoea, dysphagia, xerostomia and cystitis,
Giving prophylaxis for radiation induced cerebral oedema,
Giving advice on timing and extent of hair loss with respect
to radiation dose,
Giving advice for hospitalization, if necessary.
d. Follow-up
Managing acute and chronic radiation sequelae, such as
pneumonitis, cystitis, chronic bowel complications,
gynaecological sequelae (vaginal stenosis, vaginal dryness,
infertility and dyspareunia)
3. Supportive and Palliative Care
a. Pain Relief
Drug treatment
A wide range analgesic techniques, including
simple analgesics, mild and strong opioids, given by
a variety of routes,
Management of the complications of analgesics,
including constipation, nausea, gastro-intestinal
discomfort and analgesic intolerance.
Mechanical methods
Prescription, siting and evaluation of TENS
analgesia,
Referral of patients with refractory pain for
procedures such as a nerve block, intrathecal
analgesia, rhizotomy or orthopaedic stabilization.
Radiotherapy
Use of radiation to treat painful metastatic disease
with single fractions, multiple fractions and hemi-
body radiotherapy
b. Nausea and Vomiting
Treatment of nausea and vomiting arising in advanced
illness using anti-emetics,
Palliative management of sub-acute intestinal obstruction.
c. Anorexia and Dysphagia
Management, where appropriate, with corticosteroids,
progestogens and nasal gastric feeding
d. Pleural Effusions and Ascites
Drainage of pleural effusions and ascites,
Other treatments such as pleurodesis.
e. Depression and Anxiety
Knowledge regarding treatment of depression at all stages
of cancer management, using counselling and drug
techniques with anti-depressants,
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Knowledge regarding treatment of anxiety with
counselling, anxiolytics and major tranquilisers.
f. Hospice Care
Awareness of local hospice facilities,
A one week (at least) attachment to a hospice or palliative
care team.
g. Counseling
Counseling of patients and relatives at all stages of the
disease
4. Investigational Techniques
a. Laboratory Investigations
Interpretation of the results of haematological, biochemical
and radioimmunoassay investigations
b. Radiology
Attendance at regular radiological review sessions
involving a consultant clinical radiologist for the
examination of plain x-rays, CT scans, magnetic resonance
imaging and ultrasound covering the whole spectrum of
cancer radiology,
Current indications and techniques in interventional
procedures.
c. Radiation Medicine Procedures
Diagnostic Imaging – Gamma Camera, SPECT, PET
Scanner, PET-CT and PET-MRI image fusion studies in
treatment planning, response evaluation and follow up.
d. Pathology
Attendance at regular pathological review sessions
involving a consultant pathologist
e. Genetics in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer
f. Other Procedures
Indirect laryngoscopy
Lumbar puncture
Skin biopsy
Fibre optic naso-endoscopy
Pelvic EUA and cystoscopy
5. Site or Disease Specific Procedures
Assessment, treatment and follow-up, in detail, for each of
the anatomical sites and types of tumour,
Presentation and assessment of patients discussed at
multidisciplinary team meeting,
Staging,
Radiotherapy – adjuvant, radical and palliative,
Hormone and biological therapy,
Palliative care,
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Appropriate follow up,
Acute and late side effects of treatment.
management.
12. Genetics
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The familial aspect of some cancers as in colorectal, breast,
Syllabus
Course contents:
Subjects for Part - I (First Year)
Paper - I
Basic Sciences
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H. Molecular pathology, molecular basis of diagnosis and prognosis of
cancers
I. Radiation pathology
4. Staging of various cancers:
i. Evolution of different staging systems for various cancers over the years.
ii. Clinical Staging, WHO Staging, TNM Staging, AJCC Staging and FIGO
staging etc of various cancers, as applicable, with their inter-comparisons.
5. International Coding and classification of various neoplastic disorders
i. ICD-9, ICD-O and ICD-10 system of classification and coding of various
tumours.
Paper II (Part I)
I. Radiation Physics
The following courses of study and the subjects are recommended for training in MD
Radiotherapy and Oncology. It is essential that these topics be covered in detail for better
understanding of the basics of radiation treatment, as per subject heads given below:
1. Atomic and Nuclear Structure
A. Atomic structure
1. Energy levels, binding energy
2. Transitions, characteristic radiations
B. Nuclear structure
1. Mass, atomic and neutron numbers
2. Nuclear binding energy
3. Fission, fusion
4. Nuclear reactors
2. Radioactive Decay
A. Modes of decay
1. N/P ratio, even-odd relationship
2. Beta decay
3. Positron decay and electron capture
4. Alpha decay
5. Isomeric transitions, gamma emission, internal conversion
B. Mathematics of Radioactive Decay
1. Units, half life, graphing
2. Transient and secular equilibrium
3. Radionuclide generators
C. Natural Radioactivity
1. Naturally occurring isotopes
2. Decay series
D. Artificial Radioactivity
1. Production by neutron bombardment
2. Fission products
3. Production by charged particle bombardment
4. Radioactivity equilibrium
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3. Production of X-rays
A. X-ray tubes
1. Requirements for X-ray production
2. Historical development
3. Focal spot size
4. Reflection and transmission targets
5. X-ray production efficiency
B. X ray circuits
1. Primary circuits
2. Secondary circuit
3. Filament circuit
4. Modes of rectification
4. High Energy Treatment Machines
A. Cobalt units
B. Van de graaff generators
C. Linear accelerators
D. Betatrons
E. Resonance transformers
F. Cyclotrons for neutron therapy
G. Microtron, Synchrocyclotron and Particle Accelerators
5. Interactions of X - and Gamma-rays
A. Attenuation of a beam of x- or gamma-rays
1. Attenuation and absorption coefficients
2. Attenuation in the body
B. Modes of interaction
1. Photoelectric absorption
2. Compton scattering
3. Pair production
4. Photo-disintegration
6. Interactions of Particulate Radiations
A. Types of interactions
1. Elastic, inelastic
2. Excitation, ionization
B. Properties of particulate radiations
1. Specific ionization
2. LET
C. Interactions of heavy charged particles and pions
1. Bragg’s peak
2. Applications in radiation therapy
D. Interactions of electrons
1. Interactions with electrons
2. Interactions with nuclei
3. Applications to radiation therapy
E. Neutron interactions
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1. Slow neutron interactions
2. Fast neutron interactions
3. Applications with radiation therapy
F. Radioactive sources used in diagnosis and therapy - Production
and properties
7. Measurement of Radiation Exposure
A. Photon and energy flux density and fluence
B. The roentgen
C. Electronic equilibrium
D. Ionization chambers
1. Free-air chambers
2. Thimble chambers
3. Condenser chambers
4. Electrometers
5. Extrapolation chambers
E. Exposure calibration of an X - or gamma - ray beam
1. Selection of calibration variables
2. Selection of chamber
3. Positioning of chamber
4. Corrections to readings
F. Quality assurance checks on radiation therapy units
8. Radiation Quality
A. Measures of quality
1. HVL and effective energy
B. Factors influencing quality
1. Variations in quality across a beam
2. Filtration an acceleration potential
9. Measurement of Absorbed Dose
A. Units of radiation dose, dose equivalent, RBE-dose
B. Calculation of dose from exposure
C. Measurement of absorbed dose with an ionization chamber
1. Bragg-Gray cavity theory
D. Direct measurement of absorbed dose
1. Film
2. TLD
3. Calorimetry
4. Chemical dosimetry
10. Calibration of High Energy Photon and Electron Beams
A. Photons
1. Stopping power ratios and energy absorption coefcients
2. Acq
3. C
B. Electrons
1. CE
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11. Dose Distribution, External Beam Therapy
A. Dosimetric variables
1. Backscatter factor
2. Percent depth dose
3. Tissue - air ratio
4. Scatter - air ratio
5. Tissue - maximum and tissue-phantom ratios
6. Isodose distributions
7. Treatment time calculations
8. Fixed SSD and isocentric treatment techniques
9. Beam Modulation
B. Single and multiple field dose distributions
1. Corrections for wedges
2. Design for compensating filters
3. Corrections for surface obliquities
4. Corrections for heterogeneities
5. Dose perturbations at interfaces
6. Adjoining fields
7. Integral dose
C. Dose distribution for rotational therapy
D. Calculation of dose in large, irregular fields
12. Dose Distribution, Sealed Source Therapy
A. Handling of sealed radioactive sources
B. Dose distributions for sealed implant sources
C. Design of sealed source implants
D. Radium and its substitutes
E. Special techniques for 192Ir and 125Ir
F. Other sealed sources in therapy
13. Computerized Treatment Planning
A. External X-and gamma-ray beams
1. Rectangular fields
2. Irregular fields
3. Inverse Planning
B. Electron beams
C. Implanted sources
1. Intracavitary sources
2. Interstitial implants
3. Surface mould
14. Radiation Protection from External Sources
A. Concepts and units
1. Quality factors
2. Dose equivalent
3. Protection regulations
B. Treatment room design
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1. Primary radiation
2. Scatter
3. Leakage
4. Special problems with high energy photon and electron beam
5. Special problems with neutron, proton and -meson
C. Sealed source storage
D. Protection surveys
E. Personnel monitoring
15. Radiation Protection from Internal Sources
A. Body burdens and critical organs
1. Effective half lives for uptake and elimination.
B. Internal dose computations
1. Locally absorbed radiation
2. Penetrating radiation
C. Handling radionuclide therapy patients
D. Licensing procedure for using radionuclides
16. Planning of a Radiotherapy Department
A. Building designs
B. Choice of various equipments and sources
C. Acceptance and Calibration Tests
D. Various maintenance steps and procedures
17. New Radiation Modalities:
A. Protons
1. Production
2. Processes of absorption
3. Depth dose patterns
4. Advantage compared with x-rays
5. Facilities available
B. Neutrons
1. Production
2. Processes of absorption
3. Depth dose patterns
4. Advantages compared with x-rays
5. Facilities available
C. Pions
1. Production
2. Processes of absorption
3. Depth dose patterns
4. Advantages compared with x-rays
5. Facilities available
D. High energy heavy ions
1. Production
2. Processes of absorption
3. Depth Dose Patterns
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4. Advantages compared with x-rays
5. Facilities available
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2. Sublethal damage repair in normal tissues
3. Sublethal damage repair in tumours
4. Sublethal damage and hypoxia
5. Sublethal damage and high LET radiations
6. Dq as a measure of repair
E. Dose-rate
1. Dose-rate effects in cells in vitro
2. Dose-rate effect in normal tissues
3. Dose-rate effect in tumours
4. Interstitial therapy
5. Beam therapy at low dose rate
F. Radiosensitizers
1. The halogenated pyrimidines
2. Hypoxic cell radiosensitizers
a. Structure and mode of action
b. Enhancement ratio
c. Metronidazole/misonidazole
d. Pharmacokinetics in the human
e. Clinical limitations
3. Antibiotics
G. Radioprotectors
1. Free radical scavengers
3. Linear Energy Transfer
A. Definition
B. Track and energy average
C. LET for different types of radiation
D. OER as a function of LET
4. Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE)
A. Definition
B. RBE for different cells and tissues
C. RBE as a function of dose
D. RBE and fractionation
E. RBE as a function of LET
F. Q factor
5. Cell and Tissue Kinetics
A. The cell cycle
B. Autoradiography
C. Constituent parts of the cell cycle
D. Percent labeled mitoses technique
E. Growth fraction
F. Cell loss factor
G. Growth kinetics of human tumours
6. Tissue Radiosensitivity
A. Classification based on radiation pathology
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B. Types of cell populations
1. Self renewal
2. Conditional renewal
3. Stem cell
4. Differentiated
7. Time-Dose and Fractionations
A. The 4 R’s of radiobiology
B. The basis of fractionation
C. The Strandquist’s plot
D. Nominal standard dose
E. Linear Quadrate equation
8. Hyperthermia
A. Methods of heating
1. RF microwaves
2. Ultrasound
3. Water baths
B. Systematic hyperthermia
C. Localized heating
D. Cellular response to heat
E. Repair of thermal damage
F. Thermotolerance
G. Hyperthermia combined with ionizing radiations
H. Time sequence of heat and irradiation
I. Hypoxic cells and heat
J. Effect of pH on the response to hyperthermia
K. Response of transplanted tumours to heat
L. Response of spontaneous tumours to heat
M. Response of normal tissues to heat
N. Heat and the therapeutic gain factor
O. Hyperthermia and chemotherapy
9. Total Body Irradiation – Acute Effects
A. Prodromal radiation syndrome
B. Central nervous system / cerebrovascular syndrome
C. Gastrointestinal syndrome
D. Haematopoietic syndrome
E. Mean lethal dose: (LD50)
F. Treatment of radiation accident
10. Late Effects
A. Probabilistic/Deterministic (Stochastic/Non-Stochastic) effects
B. Non-specific life shortening
1. Definition
2. In animals
3. In man
C. Carciongenesis
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1. The latent period
2. Dose response curve in animals
3. Leukemia
4. Breast cancer
5. Thyroid cancer
6. Bone cancer
7. Skin cancer
8. Lung cancer
9. Other tumours
10. Malignancies in prenatally exposed children
11. Mechanisms of Radiation Carcinogenesis
A. Genetics of irradiation
1. Point mutations
2. Relationship to dose
3. Chromosome aberrations
4. Relationship to dose
5. Doubling dose
6. Genetically significant dose (GSD)
7. Genetic effect in humans
8. Background radiation in relation to the GSD
12. Radiation Effects in the Developing Embryo and Fetus
A. Intrauterine death
B. Congenital abnormalities including neonatal death
C. Growth retardation
D. Dependence of the above effects on dose, dose-rate and stage in gestation
E. Carcinogenesis following in utero exposure
F. Human experience of pregnant women exposed to therapeutic doses
G. Occupational exposure of potentially pregnant women
H. Elective booking or “10 day rule”
I. The “Practical threshold” for therapeutic abortion
III. Radiation Pathology:
1. Radiophysiology of Human Tissues
A. Effects or irradiation of the skin
1. Clinical manifestations
2. Histological substratum of effects
3. Repair
4. Degree of sequelae
5. Injurious effects
B. Effects of irradiation of bone and cartilage
1. Effects on growing bones and cartilage
2. Effects on adult bones and cartilage
3. Clinical manifestations
4. Histological substratum of effects
5. Functional consequences and sequelae
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C. Effects of irradiation of the kidney
1. Clinical manifestations
2. Histological substratum of effects
3. Acute and chronic functional repercussions
4. Permanent Sequelae
D. Effects of irradiation of the lung
1. Acute clinical effects
2. Ultimate effects
3. Histologic substratum of effects
4. Measures to reduce final effects
5. Sequelae
E. Effects of irradiation of nervous tissues
1. Effects on the brain
2. Effects on the spinal cord
3. Effects on the peripheral nerves
4. Clinical manifestations
5. Histological substratum
6. Sequelae
F. Effects of irradiation of the ovary
1. Clinical manifestations
2. Histological substratum
3. Reversibility of effects
4. Therapeutic implications
G. Effects of irradiation of the testis
1. Clinical consequences
2. Histological substratum
3. Reversibility
4. Protective measures
H. Effects of irradiation of the eye
1. Clinical consequences
2. Histological substratum
3. Protective measures
4. Time-dose connotations
5. Sequelae-therapy
I. Effects of irradiation of lymphoid tissues
1. Clinical manifestations
2. Histological manifestations
3. Reversibility
J. Effects of irradiation of the bone marrow
1. Clinical and laboratory manifestations
2. Chronology of effects
3. Histologic substrarum
4. Recovery
5. Therapeutic applications
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K. Effects or irradiation of the oral, pharyngolaryngeal and esophageal mucous
membrane
1. Clinical manifestations
2. Histological manifestations
3. Repair
4. Sequelae
L. Effects of irradiation of the salivary glands
1. Acute manifestations
2. Histological substratum
3. Dental consequences
4. Prophylaxis
M. Radiation effects observable in clinical radiotherapy
1. Technological protection
2. Role of total dose
3. Role of fractionation
4. Measures of prevention
5. Therapeutic measures
N. Effects of irradiation of human embryo
1. Role of age
2. Role of dose
3. Teratogenic effects
4. Measures of prevention
O. SOMA Scales
IV. Basics of Chemotherapy:
A. Classification, mechanisms of action and pharmacokinetics of anti-cancer
(cytotoxic) drugs including Biological Response Modifiers
B. Rationality of using cytotoxic drugs as single agents and as multi-drug protocol
in various clinical settings
C. Dosages/Modes/routes of administration of cytotoxic drugs
D. Complications/adverse effects of various cytotoxic drugs
PART – II
Paper I
Principles of Radiotherapy allied specialties
I. Clinical Practice of Radiotherapy and Oncology
A. Principles of Radiotherapy
1. General – Radiosensitivity and Radiocurability
- Tumor lethal dose, Tissue Tolerance and Therapeutic Ratio
(TR)
- Factor influencing TR
- Target Volume
- Choice of Time, dose fractionation and technique
2. Teletherapy
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Radiation factors
Megavoltage therapy
Orthovoltage therapy
Electron therapy
Heavy particle therapy (Neutron, photon, pi-meson)
3. Brachytherapy
Radium and its substitutes
Practice of - surface, intracavitary and interstitial
Clinical application
Rules and techniques
1. Newer developments
2. Afterloading
3. Low and high dose rates
B. Techniques of Radiotherapy
Small field beam directed therapy
Extended and irregular field therapy
Single, double and multiple field therapy
Beam modification therapy (wedge filter / compensator etc.)
Rotation and Arc therapy
IMRT, IGRT, Tomotherapy
Newer Techniques
Techniques in Brachytherapy
Intracavitary
Interstitial
Mould application
Modern development and afterloading devices
C. Clinical Practice
Radical (curative)
Palliative
Pre-operative
Post-operative
Supplementary
Combination (both Pre- & Post operative – Sandwitch technique)
Nutritional care and local hygiene during and after therapy
D. Treatment Planning and Presentation
Mouldroom practices
Simulation
Computerised treatment planning system
Clinical dosimetry
Prescription and execution
E. General histologic and cytologic features of malignancy
F. Classification of benign and malignant tumours and their interpretation
II. Related Specialties: surgical oncology and medical oncology
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A. Principles and practice of general surgery, gynecology an pediatric surgery
as related to cancer
Surgical treatment decisions
Surgical diagnosis and staging of cancer
B. Cancer Chemotherapy and Hormones
Chemotherapy
Principles and clinical practice
Classification of drugs
Clinical application of
a. Single drug therapy
b. Polychemotherapy and various combinations
c. Adjuvant therapy
d. Prophylactic therapy
Complication of the chemotherapy and its management
Recent developments
Drug schedules
Hormone Treatment in Cancer
General principles
Role in cancers of the Breast, thyroid, prostate, kidney etc.
Complications and their management
C. Clinical staging and TNM system
Staging procedures
Methods of clinical staging an TNM classification
D. Terminal care of cancer patients – principles and practice of control of pain
E. Cancer registry and epidemiology
F. Prevention and early detection in cancer
G. Cancer education and oncology organization
H. Statistical methods
Papers II & III
A. Clinical Management in tumors of:
a. Head and Neck
Lip
Oral cavity
Oropharynx
Hypopharynx
Nasopharynx
Supraglottis
Vocal cord
Sub-glottis
Middle ear
Nose and nasal sinuses
Orbit and optic nerve
Lachrymal gland
Salivary gland
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Glomus jugulare tumours
Carotid body tumours
Other sites in the region
b. Gastro-Intestinal Tract
Oesophagus
Stomach
Liver
Pancreas and biliary tract
Small bowel
Colon and rectum
Anal canal and peri-anal region
c. Chest
Pleura
Trachea
Lung
Mediastinum and thymus
d. Genito-Urinary Tract
Kidney
Ureter
Bladder
Urethra
Prostate
Penis
Testis
e. Female Genital Tract
Uterine cervix
Uterine body
Vagina
Vulva
Ovary
Fallopian tube
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Adult soft tissue sarcoma
Childhood/adolescent sarcoma
Chondrosarcoma
Osteosarcoma
Ewing's tumour
h. Paediatric Tumours
Medulloblastoma
Neuroblastoma
Nephroblastoma
Retinoblastoma
Embryonal sarcomas
j. Skin
Basal cell carcinoma
Squamous cell carcinoma
Malignant melanoma
Cutaneous lymphoma
Kaposi's sarcoma
k. Endocrine
Breast
Thyroid
Parathyroid
Pituitary
Adrenal
B. For each of the tumour types and sites listed above, the post graduate students
shall learn the:
a. Management
Initial staging investigations including imaging and tumour markers
Role of PET-CT in modern day management of cancers
Relevant prognostic factors
Assessment for treatment
Role of surgery
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A management plan, or, where applicable, a range of such plans
Ionising Radiation Regulations
Roles of surgery, radiotherapy and cytotoxic chemotherapy in
multimodality approaches to cancer treatment
b. Pathology
The range of tumours that can occur
Their aetiology, incidence and epidemiology
A brief morphology of the common tumours
The natural history of the disease including likely presentation,
characteristic growth and metastatic pattern
Staging classifications eg TNM, WHO, FIGO, AJCC, AFIP
Use of tumour markers in diagnosis and treatment of tumours
Use of specialized pathology techniques, eg immunocytochemistry
Interpretation of clinicopathological data in the tumour site specialised
multidisciplinary approach to patient management
c. Radiotherapy
i. The role of irradiation in radical and palliative management
ii. Where radical radiotherapy is a treatment option:
1. Staging investigations
2. A definition of tumour volume and target volume boundaries
3. ICRU, AAPM, ICRP reports relevant to clinical oncology
4. An acceptable radiotherapeutic technique, or, where applicable, a
range of such techniques
5. The correct treatment position
6. Details of the target volume localization process
7. Use of CT axial images, 3D planning, Inverse Planning, IMRT,
IGRT, Irregular shaped fields
8. Verification techniques such as laser alignment, skin tattoos,
orthogonal and portal films
9. The approximate dose distributions for the chosen technique
10. An appropriate dose/fractionation regime
11. Relevant dose modifying factors (changes in fractionation, age,
associated conditions, target volume, intercurrent infections,
previous therapies)
12. Details of the set-up instructions for technologists
13. Appropriate responses to changes of patient parameters or
interruptions during treatment
14. The possible acute and late side effects of the irradiation
15. Radiation dose modifying factors, chemotherapy timing in all forms
of chemoradiation schedules
d. Drug Therapy: Basic knowledge and understanding of integrating
with Radiotherapy
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i. The role of cytotoxic, hormonal and biological drugs therapies
in radical and palliative management
e. Outcomes
i. The expected outcomes of treatment
f. Oncological Emergencies
The management of the following complications when they are
related to cancer:
Ureteric obstruction
Spinal cord compression
Haemorrhage
Mediastinal superior vena caval obstruction
D. Complications of Treatment
The acute and late complications of oncological treatment and their
management including:
Skin reactions
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhoea
Oedema
Bone marrow toxicity
Neutropenic sepsis
Drug reactions
Cytotoxic extravasation
Alopecia
Cataract
Skin atrophy and ulceration
Colitis, proctitis, gut strictures and perforation
Renal effects
Cardiac effects
Pulmonary effects
Fibrosis and lymphoedema
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Endocrine effects (thyroid, pituitary and salivary gland)
Effects on fertility
Incidence of second and radiation induced cancers
Special Topics
A. Recent advances coming up in various fields as applicable to
oncology
B. Causes of treatment failure and retreatment
C. TLI and TBI – Role, Philosophy and Techniques
D. Supportive care in Radiation treatment in combination with
chemotherapy/surgery
E. Infections, nutritional and other problems in cancer patients
F. Preventive Oncology
G. Psychosocial aspects of cancer and Rehabilitation
H. Hospice Program
I. Immunotherapy and Role of Monoclonal antibodies in diagnosis,
staging and management of cancer
J. Oncological Emergencies
K. Care and Nursing of patients on Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy
L. Cancer Control Programmes
M. International Classification and Coding of Cancer (ICD-9, ICD-O,
ICD-10)
N. Research Methodologies in Cancer
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consisting of First Year of BASIC CONCEPTS OF THE SPECIALTY and the next
two years of INTENSIVE CLINICAL TRAINING IN THE SPECIALTY.
The post graduate students should devote next two years in learning the science and art of
practice of Oncology focusing upon radiotherapy along with knowledge of integration of
other modalities in total management of cancer, as elaborated in the subsequent sections.
Teaching Methodology
1. Lectures: Lectures are to be kept to a minimum. They may, however, be
employed for teaching certain topics. Lectures may be didactic or integrated.
a) Didactic Lectures: Recommended for selected common topics for post
graduate students of all specialties. Few topics are suggested as examples:
1) Bio-statistics
2) Use of library
3) Research Methods
4) Medical code of Conduct and Medical Ethics
5) National Health and Disease Control Programmes
6) Communication Skills
These topics may preferably be taken up in the first few weeks of the first year.
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prevention of cancer, early detection and screening programmes in cancer,
Planning of cancer control activities, rehabilitation and pain relief, etc.
4. Journal Club & Subject seminars: Both are recommended to be held once a
week. All PG students are expected to attend and actively participate in discussion
and enter in the Log Book relevant details. Further, every post graduate student
must make a presentation from the allotted journal(s), selected articles at least four
times a year and a total of 12 seminar presentations in three years. The
presentations would be evaluated and would carry weightage for internal
assessment. A time table with names of the student and the moderator should be
announced at the beginning of every year.
5. Student Symposium: Recommended as an optional multi disciplinary programme.
The evaluation may be similar to that described for subject seminar.
6. Case discussions, journal club
7. Inter-departmental meetings: strongly recommended particularly with the
Department of Radiodiagnosis at least once a week. These meetings should be
attended by post graduate students and relevant entries must be made in the Log
Book.
8. Teaching Skills: The postgraduate students shall be required to participate in the
teaching and training programme of undergraduate students and interns.
9. Undertake audit, use information technology tools and carry out research, both
basic and clinical, with the aim of publishing his work and presenting his work at
various scientific fora.
10. Continuing Medical Education Programmes (CME): At least two CME
programmes should be attended by each student in 3 years.
11. Conferences: The student should attend courses, conferences and seminars
relevant to the speciality.
12. A postgraduate student of a postgraduate degree course in broad specialities/super
specialities would be required to present one poster presentation, to read one paper
at a national/state conference and to present one research paper which should be
published/accepted for publication/sent for publication during the period of his
postgraduate studies so as to make him eligible to appear at the postgraduate
degree examination.
13. Department should encourage e-learning activities.
Rotation:
Postings:
- Posting in various divisions of the department – mould room, treatment planning,
simulation room, teletherapy and brachytherapy facilities etc.
- Posting in Radiotherapy OPD and ward by rotation.
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- Short postings in departments/divisions of Surgical Oncology, Medical Oncology,
Palliative Care, Surgery, Medicine, Gynaecology, ENT, Pathology, Cytology,
Haematology, Imaging, cancer registry, as per the direction from Head of the
Department.
During the training programme, patient safety is of paramount importance;
therefore, skills are to be learnt initially on the models, later to be performed under
supervision followed by performing independently; for this purpose, provision of
skills laboratories in medical colleges is mandatory.
ASSESSMENT
The summative examination would be carried out as per the Rules given in
POSTGRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION REGULATIONS, 2000.
1. Thesis
Thesis shall be submitted at least six months before the Theory and Clinical / Practical
examination. The thesis shall be examined by a minimum of three examiners; one
internal and two external examiners, who shall not be the examiners for Theory and
Clinical examination. A post graduate student shall be allowed to appear for the
Theory and Practical/Clinical examination only after the acceptance of the Thesis by
the examiners.
2. Theory Examination:
There shall be four papers each of three hours duration. These are:
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Paper II: Clinical Radiation Oncology
Paper III: Allied Oncology Practices (Surgical oncology, medical oncology &
Palliative Care)
Paper IV: Recent Developments in Oncology, Cancer Control Programmes,
Research methodologies in oncology
3. Clinical/ Practical and oral/viva voce examination
Oral/viva voce examination shall be comprehensive enough to test the post graduate
student’s overall knowledge of the subject.
Note 1: During the training programme, each post graduate student should be required to
engage himself/herself in an investigative project under the supervision of a
faculty member and submit his/her thesis or dissertation according to the rules of
the University concerned. The subject for the research should be related to
clinical practice of oncology (radiotherapy/combined treatments/Lab Research
related with clinical practice).
Recommended Reading
A. Books (latest edition)
1. Basic books of anatomy, applied anatomy, physiology and basic pathology
2. Text books of:
Radiotherapy by Ralston Paterson
Radiotherapy by GH Fletcher
Radiotherapy by Moss
Radiotherapy by Halnan
Oxford Text Book of Oncology
Comprehensive Text Book of Oncology by Moosa
Cancer Principles & Practice of Oncology by DeVita et al
Textbook of Oncology by Ackerman & del Regato
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Principles & Practice of Radiation Oncology by Perez & Brady
Cancer Medicine by Holland and Frie
Transplantation in Hematology & Oncology by Buchner, Jurgens et al
Clinical Oncology by Philip Rubin
Cancer Treatment by Haskell
Medical Physics by Meredith
Medical Physics by Selman
Medical Physics by FM Khan
Radiation Pathology by Rubin & Cassaret
Radiobiology by Eric J Hall
Radiobiology by Steel
Radiation Planning by Lewis & Tapley
Pediatric Oncology by Suttow
Gynecology Oncology by Disaia
Urologic Oncology/GI Cancers/Breast Cancer/Brain Tumors
Radiation Oncology by GK Rath & BK Mohanti
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Annexure I
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
2. Patient based
/Laboratory or Skill
based learning
4. Departmental and
interdepartmental
learning activity
Publications Yes/ No
Remarks*______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
______________
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