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Presented by Paula Berner, BS, CMD, FAAMD
Brachytherapy was first used in the early 1900’s and is an essential treatment modality that can be used for most types and stages of cancer. The popularity of brachytherapy has waxed and waned through the years, yet it remains the standard of care for the treatment of certain types of cancer. This presentation is designed to address the why, when and where of brachytherapy as a treatment modality for cancer. There will be brief look at the of history of brachytherapy, the isotopes used, and a review of some terminology that will be used in this presentation. Then we will look at why we use brachytherapy, when to use and not use brachytherapy, and close with examples of where brachytherapy is used clinically. Whether you are a recent graduate of a medical dosimetry educational program or have been practicing as a medical dosimetrist for many years, this presentation is designed to provide practical insights into the why, when and where of brachytherapy.
Learner Outcomes:
1) Reviewed some of the basic terminology and principles associated with Brachytherapy that will be used in this presentation
2) Discuss why Brachytherapy is used in the treatment of cancer
3) Demonstrate an understanding of when and when not to use Brachytherapy in the treatment of cancer
4) Discuss where Brachytherapy can be used and share examples of Brachytherapy treatment.
Educational Level: Intermediate
Presenter:
Paula Berner, BS, CMD, FAAMD graduated from Texas A&M University in 1979 with a Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology. In 1985, Paula began her career in the field of medical dosimetry at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) in Houston, TX. In 1990, Paula left MDACC and went to work at The Methodist Hospital in Houston. In April 1993 Paula returned to MDACC working in the Brachytherapy and Special Dosimetry Section, as a brachytherapy dosimetrist. Paula passed the MDCB exam in 1998. In scholarly and academic work, Paula has published as co-author in the peer-reviewed journals: Medical Dosimetry; International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, and Physics; and Physics in Medicine and Biology. She has been a manuscript reviewer for the journal Medical Dosimetry. Paula has presented at numerous AAMD annual meetings and also participated in the ASTRO 49th Annual Meeting Nurses Program in GYN Oncology. She has also been active as a clinical and didactic instructor in the MD Anderson Cancer Center School of Health Professions in both the medical dosimetry and radiation therapy programs since 1993. Paula joined the AAMD in 1987 and has served in numerous capacities since then. She served a presidential term from 2006 – 2009, was one of the original incorporators of the AAMD Education & Research Foundation, and had the honor of being elevated to AAMD Fellow in 2014. Paula retired from MDACC in 2017 having spent 30 years in the profession, with 23 years as a brachytherapy dosimetrist. Since retirement Paula has continued to work with the AAMD, worked with medical dosimetry educational programs and industry to develop brachytherapy treatment planning labs, and as a member of the American Brachytherapy Society (ABS) she is involved with the ABS Nursing / RTT / Dosimetry Council.
Paula’s experience as a Brachytherapy dosimetrist and educator includes but is not limited to the following:
ARRT CQR Credit Distribution
Radiation Therapy 2017:
Procedures
Treatments = 1.0
Radiation Therapy 2022
Procedures
Treatments = 1.0