Programme: BRadHons Radiation Therapy

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Code Faculty
10247012 Faculty of Health Sciences
Credits Duration NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 1 year Total credits: 120 NQF level:  08

Programme information

Students who did not register at undergraduate level (i.e. from the second year of study) in Radiation Therapy, register according to this curriculum.

Admission requirements

  • The BRad degree, the Bachelor in Technology: Radiography or an equivalent qualification in the relevant field of specialisation.
  • The candidate must have access to equipment and patients in a healthcare facility approved by the Department, for the purpose of undertaking work-integrated learning associated with the programme in which the student will be registered.
  • The candidate must be registered as radiographer with the Health Professions Councils of South Africa (HPCSA) (for candidates who are South African Citizens).
  • International students will be registered with the HPCSA as postgraduate students.
  • Admission is subject to the approval of the head of department: with the proviso that a candidate must have obtained an average of more than 60% in the modules of his or her final year of the bachelor's degree study.
  • Candidates who do not meet this requirement will be expected to pass the BRadHons bridging programme as stipulated by the Department.
  • Successful completion of a research methodology module with a minimum credit weighting of 16 credits in the prerequisite degree.

Additional requirements

  • All students must register for NVB 700 Research principles.

Additional requirements

All students must register for NVB 700 Research principles.

Also consult the General Regulations.

Examinations and pass requirements

Second examinations may be granted in modules not passed, according to the stipulations of the School of Healthcare Sciences in this regard.

Pass with distinction

The degree is conferred with distinction on a student who has obtained an average of at least 75% in all the modules for the degree.

Minimum credits: 120

Fundamental modules

Core modules

  • Module content:

    Part 1

    Target volumes determination, treatment filed localisation and treatment prescription. Treatment localisation equipment and principles of image geometry. Patient positioning, marking fields, and immobilisation in radiotherapy. Use of mechanical and mathematical radiation beam modification in treatment planning and delivery. Principles of 2-Dimensional and 3-Dimensional external beam photon radiation dose planning and dose calculation. Application of standard 2-Dimensional and 3-Dimensional external radiotherapy treatment planning. Principles of electron beam planning. Treatment planning quality assurance.

     Part 2

    Brachytherapy. ICRU level-3 Radiation dose planning. Stereotactic radio-surgery and stereotactic radiotherapy. Image-based and image-guided radiotherapy. Large field irradiation with photons. Current trends in Electron Therapy, proton therapy, heavy particle therapy and neutron therapy treatment planning and delivery.

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  • Module content:

    Continuation of the research process which includes the implementation of the approved research protocol and writing up a research essay of the completed research project.

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  • Module content:

    Part 1:

    Clinical ethics and m patient care and support in radiotherapy. Medico-legal aspects in radiation therapy. Radiotherapy assessment, patient care and support for patients receiving radiation therapy for tumours of the oral cavity, digestive tract, respiratory system, urinary system, nervous system, reproductive system, skin and blood. Management of patients receiving radiotherapy with co-existing medical conditions of anaemia, infection, ascites, pleural effusion, pain and neutropenia. Care of patients with tracheostomy, mastectomy, amputations and dental care. Radiobiological principles and concepts that underpin the interaction of radiation with cells, tissues, whole body. Tumour kinetics and tumour response to radiation. Carcinogenesis. Tumour micro-environment. Fractionation. Normal tissue responses of skin, oral mucosa, salivary glands, bone marrow, bone, cartilage, lung, kidney, testis, central nervous system and peripheral nervous tissue. Radiation effects on developing embryo. Hyperthermia. Basic principles of application of superficial superficial x-ray, megavoltage x-ray, electron, neutron therapy, proton therapy, brachytherapy, intensity modulated radiotherapy and intra-operative radiotherapy. Basic radiotherapy treatment techniques in the treatment of malignant tumours of gynaecological, head and neck, skin, breast, genitourinary, gastrointestinal, lymphomas, leukemias, lung, mediastinum, bone, soft tissue, central nervous system and paediatric tumours. Radiotherapy treatment techniques for non-malignant tumours. Cancer biology and pathology. Epidemiology, prevention, early diagnosis and education. General principles in oncological management of the patient. Oncological principles related to the treatment of malignant tumours of different anatomical regions. Radiation oncology principles related to management of benign tumours, non-malignant medical conditions and oncological emergencies.

     

    Part 2:

    Basic management principles. Quality management. Brachytherapy. Treatment field conformation and treatment dose conformation in radiotherapy treatment delivery. Large field irradiation with photons and superficial photon therapy.

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  • Module content:

    Basic radiation physics. Interactions of X-radiation and gamma rays with matter. Radiation beam attenuation. Treatment machines for external beam radiotherapy. External photon beam and dose quantities. Photon beam measurements and calibrations and treatment dose calculations. Photon beam modification for treatment dose optimisation. Electron interaction with matter and electron therapy. Radiotherapy quality assurance of external beam units and treatment planning systems. Radiation protection and shielding and personnel monitoring. Imaging in radiation oncology. Radiation physics principles of three dimensional conformal radiation therapy and intensity modulated radiation therapy. Procedures and processes involved in Stereotactic radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery. Radiation physics principles of Brachytherapy. Principles of total body irradiation. Radiation interactions in proton and neutron therapy,

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The information published here is subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information. The General Regulations (G Regulations) apply to all faculties of the University of Pretoria. It is expected of students to familiarise themselves well with these regulations as well as with the information contained in the General Rules section. Ignorance concerning these regulations and rules will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression.

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