Medical Physics Unit

The Medical Physics Unit is staffed by professionals with a master’s degree in Physics and a specialization in Medical Physics, as well as laboratory technicians and radiology technologists. The department’s core activities involve the application of both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, along with ensuring radiation protection for workers, the general public, and patients. 

Activities are primarily carried out in collaboration with other units in the Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy, as well as with other departments within the Foundation that use radiogenic or radioactive sources. The department also supports the Prevention and Protection Service through physical agent measurements and risk assessment. 

In partnership with the Oncologic Radiotherapy Units, the Medical Physics staff is responsible for planning and optimizing radiation treatments. This includes selecting the energy, number, and orientation of radiation beams to maximize dose delivery to the target volume while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues and organs. In addition to conventional 3D radiotherapy techniques (3DRT), the department provides advanced clinical procedures such as: 

• Stereotactic Radiation Therapy (SRT) 
• Total Body Irradiation (TBI) 
• Advanced intensity-modulated techniques: Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) 
• Respiratory Gating System for thoracic treatments 
• High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy using 3D imaging from CT and MRI scans 
• Prostate HDR Brachytherapy with real-time planning based on ultrasound imaging 
• Ocular Brachytherapy with radioactive Ruthenium plaques for eye tumor treatment 

Quality assurance tests are regularly conducted on all radiotherapy equipment, in accordance with Legislative Decree 101/20 and international protocols. IMRT and VMAT treatments are also simulated on dedicated phantoms and individually verified. 

In the field of radiology, the Medical Physics team carries out quality checks on all radiological devices as required by Legislative Decree 101/20, including MRI systems and diagnostic monitors. The team is also involved in the evaluation and implementation of new technologies and the optimization of diagnostic protocols—such as digital breast tomosynthesis in mammography. 

The department is responsible for supervising radiation protection for all ionizing radiation activities. This includes ensuring occupational and public safety in accordance with Legislative Decree 101/20. Key responsibilities include: 

1. Designing radiation protection measures for new equipment and facilities (e.g., shielding, PPE, safety signals) 
2. Testing new installations and conducting routine monitoring of environments and personnel 
3. Classifying radiation-exposed workers and managing the use of personal protective equipment 
4. Drafting internal radiation protection protocols that all staff must follow 

Lastly, the team collaborates closely with the Prevention and Protection Service to assess risks associated with Artificial Optical Radiation (AOR) and Electromagnetic Fields (EMF), in compliance with Legislative Decree 81/08.